Chris Berry is switching playing diamonds at McLennan Community College after being named the College’s head softball coach during Thursday evening’s Board of Trustees meeting.
“I am super excited to lead a program that’s has a great tradition of success,” Berry said. “I want to thank Mrs. Trochim, Dr. Canham, Dr. McKown, and the Board of Trustees for recognizing and sharing in my vision for where this program can go, and trusting that I can help lead it there! I can’t wait to get started.”
Berry takes over the Highlassie Softball program following a very successful four-year stint as an assistant coach for the Highlander Baseball squad highlighted by a pair of conference championships, a pair of regional championships, and a pair of trips to the JUCO World Series.
In 2015, Berry’s first season with McLennan, the Highlanders finished fourth in the North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference (NTJCAC) and claimed the Region V Championship to earn the program’s first JUCO World Series berth since 1983. The Highlanders continued to excel in Grand Junction, finishing as the runners-up and ending the season with an overall record of 41-20. In Berry’s second season, the Highlanders claimed the conference championship and a regional tournament berth with an overall record of 45-12.
The Highlanders dominated the 2017 season, recording a 26-6 conference record to claim another NTJCAC Championship. They went on to win the Region V Tournament, punching their ticket to the JUCO World Series. The team was undefeated in the month of April and spent a week ranked first in the NJCAA Division I Poll. The Highlanders went 1-2 in the World Series and finished fifth in the nation with a 52-13 record. Success continued for the Highlanders in 2018 as the team finished second in conference play and advanced to the championship round of the regional tournament, ending the season with an overall record of 44-15.
Before joining the McLennan staff, Berry spent a year as an assistant at Florida Gulf Coast University working with the pitchers. His career includes stints as an assistant at Ohio, Baylor, Arkansas State and Sam Houston State. During his time with these teams, they made a combined eight appearances in the NCAA Regionals since 2000. Berry helped lead Baylor to the NCAA Super Regional in 2003 and 2005 and to the College World Series in 2005. He began his career as a graduate assistant at Rockford College before becoming an assistant coach at Young Harris College. He also has experience in the professional ranks, working as an assistant to the director of stadium operations for the Rockford (Illinois) Cubbies, the Class-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. In addition, he served as an administrative assistant for the Bluefield (Virginia) Orioles.
Berry received his bachelor's degree in recreational administration from Bluefield College in Virginia, where he was an Academic All-League pitcher. He and his wife, Connie, have two children, Kennedy and Jackson.
