North Park University Women's Softball

Coach Katie Anderson took over the North Park Softball team in 2015 and has helped the program reach new heights since then. Coach Anderson guided the Vikings to back-to-back CCIW Tournament appearances in 2023 and 2024, the first consecutive appearances in program history. The 2023 season was one for the history books, as Coach Anderson led the Vikings to a third-place finish in the CCIW and nine wins in league play. Anderson's '23 squad set a program record with nine CCIW wins and they picked up their first playoff win with a triumph over Elmhurst in the CCIW Tournament. Regarded as one of the most decorated student-athletes ever to wear the Viking uniform, Anderson was named the new head coach of the NPU softball program in 2015. Coach Anderson's teams have seen total wins increase in each full season since 2017. In 2021, Anderson's Vikings finished with 19 wins and qualified for the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) tournament. In 2013, Anderson was the graduate assistant coach on a staff that garnered recognition as the CCIW’s coaching staff of the year. That season, the Vikings finished with one of their best records in history, posting an overall record of 24-12 while marking a 6-12 slate in the CCIW. North Park finished the 2013 season on a hot streak, winning five of their last six games of the season, including a doubleheader sweep of North Central College in Naperville. During the 2018 season, Anderson coached her first NFCA All-Region selection in sophomore shortstop Hayley Jackson. Jackson posted a slash line of .424/.489/.678 while slugging 11 doubles, 5 triple, 3 homers, and 35 runs batted in. She also added 87 defensive assists, scored 24 runs, and struck out just 9 times in 118 at-bats. Anderson completed a successful playing career for the Vikings. A four-year letter winner and starter at the shortstop position, Anderson carries numerous North Park softball records, including the most hits in a career (169) career RBI (111) and most home runs (12). She also ranks top-three in most home runs in a single season as well as triples in a career (12). In addition to being the NP career-leader in hits, RBI and home runs, Anderson has the most doubles in a single season (14) as well as most doubles in a career with 40. She earned her undergraduate degree in Physical Education in the Spring of 2012 and pursued her studies as the team’s graduate assistant shortly after. COACHING CAREER, SEASON-BY-SEASON Season Record (CCIW) CCIW Finish Postseason Finish 2015 6-23 (2-12) 8th DNQ 2016 9-26 (6-8) 6th DNQ 2017 6-34 (2-14) 9th DNQ 2018 19-20 (13-18) 6th DNQ 2019 15-23 (3-12) 8th DNQ 2020 5-5* - - 2021 19-20 (13-18) 6th CCIW Tourney (0-2) 2022 13-19 (5-11) 7th DNQ 2023 18-22-1 (9-7) 3rd CCIW Tourney (1-2) 2024 11-26 (6-10) 6th CCIW Tourney (0-1) 2025 16-22 (4-12) 8th DNQ 2026 16-25 (7-9) 6th CCIW Tourney (0-1) Career 146-280 (61-125) *COVID season

Halmon joins the Viking coaching staff in 2026 after a successful collegiate career at Trinity Christian University. Halmon was a two-way player for the Trolls, earning All-CCAC honors in 2022 while grabbing a pair of NCCAA All-North Central Region honors in 2022 and 2023.  In the circle, she boasted a career ERA of 3.66 in 90 appearances, punching out 249 hitters in 403.1 innings pitched. She earned 25 wins, 3 saves, and enjoyed 4 shutouts. At the plate, she slashed .320/.393/.460 with 29 doubles, 5 triples, and 9 home runs. In 472 at-bats, she had 151 hits, scored 69 runs, and drove in 90 runners while also swiping 23 bases.