The Colby Softball program began in 1976 and has had many outstanding athletes take the field representing the Mules. Patty Valavanis ’80, led a distinguished career both academically and athletically at Colby and an award in her honor is given out each year. The prestigious honor is acknowledged at both the College awards ceremony and the Colby Athletics Senior Awards Presentation.
Many other Colby softball players have distinguished themselves both on and off the field. Softball player Miki Starr ’07 was the exceptional student-athlete recognized with the Valavanis Award in 2007 and Tory Starr ’09, Miki’s sister, earned the honor in 2009. Brianne Wheeler ’14, a four-year player at third base, earned Colby’s Millett Award in 2014 as the athlete who has contributed the most to Colby. Megan Michie ’15 ranked first in her graduating class at Colby and spoke at graduation.
Colby Softball belongs to the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC), one of the most competitive Division III conferences in the nation. The team competes on the Colby Softball Field inside the Colby Baseball and Softball Complex. This field, alongside baseball's Coombs Field, were opened in 2015, making them the first synthetic turf fields for both baseball and softball in the NESCAC. The Colby Softball Field features full lighting for night practices and games, and there is a covered pavilion with hitting tunnels for batting practice. The complex also features on-grade, heated dugouts, LED scoreboards, and elevated bleachers behind home plate. The heated areas and turf has allowed Colby athletes to train and compete outside year-round without the worry of inclement weather.
The Mules are led by Head Coach Terren Allen, the 2023 NESCAC Co-Coach of the Year, who joined the program in 2019. In 2024, Colby Softball collected five All-Region awards and three All-NESCAC awards to conclude the season. The team has competed in the NESCAC Championship tournament in each of the last four years while earning ten All-Conference awards in those seasons combined. In total the program has earned 26 NESCAC awards in its history including Pitcher of the Year Lauren Olmsted in 2003.
Updated as of July 21st, 2025
