Van Hedrick has been the only head coach the Lady Lions softball program has had in its 14 year-existance. During these years Coach Hedrick has led the Lady Lions to two conference championships and one regional championship. In 2009 the Lady Lions advanced to the NJCAA National Tournament in St. George, Utah for the first time in school history.
Formerly the assistant to NCTC head baseball coach Kevin Darwin, Coach Hedrick has proven his ability to lead and inspire student athletes. He has also held the title of Athletic Director here at North Central from 2005-present. He has averaged 40 wins a season in his previous 13 years and holds a 531-268 winning record.
While attending Iowa Park High School, where he graduated in 1985, Van Hedrick was a three-sport letterman in football, basketball and baseball, and he earned All-District honors in all three sports. His pursuit of excellence on the playing field is no different in his work as the Lady Lions' first coach than it was in his playing days.
Coach Hedrick attended Vernon Regional Junior College from 1986-1988, playing shortstop and serving as a team tri-captain. After earning his Associate degree there, Hedrick attended Tarleton State University from 1988 to 1990. At Tarleton, he moved to the outfield and was used as a relief pitcher. An arm injury sidelined him for most of his junior season. During Hedrick's senior year at Tarleton, however, he was named "Comeback Player of the Year."
In 1990, Coach Hedrick earned his bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, with a minor in Physical Education. After a year of assistant coaching at Hill College, he returned to Tarleton State and was a graduate assistant coach for two years while completing his Master of Education degree in 1992.
Coach Hedrick is married to Robyn Ruzicka Hedrick who is a stay at home mom to their three girls, Ashley (12), Allison (10) and Autumn (7). Robyn holds a master's degree in Early Childhood Development and taught high school Home Economics in Fort Worth, TX for four years at Western Hills. After moving to Gainesville Robyn taught Special Ed. at Valley View Middle School for three years until they were blessed with their three cuties.
Taylor is in her sixth year as the Assistant Coach for North Central. In her previous five years, she has assisted Coach Hedrick in 4 forty plus winning seasons with a record of 214-92. Together along with the girls they have recruited, they have claimed a Conference Championship, Regional Championship and a first ever trip to the National Tournament for the Lady Lions.
While attending Washington High School in Washington, Oklahoma where she graduated in 2002. Christian was a four year 3 sport letterman in fast-pitch and slow-pitch softball and basketball. Here she was a back to back state champion in fast-pitch softball, a four peat state champion in slow-pitch softball and a two time state runner-up in basketball. Taylor earned all-district honors in all sports and was a member of the 2001 All-State Fast-pitch softball team.
She also earned honors in FCA, FFA and Who's Who Among High School Students. She was an officer all four years in FFA and was awarded the American Star Farmer degree in 2002. FCA officer all four years as well and received the prestigious sportsmanship award in FCA as a junior.
A graduate of NCTC with an Associate of Science degree and later a Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Christian played her way through college on scholarships to both schools. She was a 4 year utility starter at the collegiate level for the Lady Lions here at NCTC and the Rangers of Northwestern where she played 2nd, Catcher, 3rd and outfield.
At Northwestern, Christian was the Graduate Assistant at the Wellness Center where she assisted in managing and running the pool, fitness rooms and fitness classes. She also served as a student trainer for Northwestern where she assisted the trainer with all sports from football, baseball, softball, soccer, basketball and cheerleading.
