Dear Coach Evans,
First, I would like to start this letter off by saying thank you. Thank you for giving me a chance to play for the best university in the nation. That seven year old that swore to her whole elementary school class in 2nd grade, that she was going to play softball for Texas A&M, is screaming with excitement every time I get to put on that jersey with Texas A&M across my chest. With my last season approaching, I wanted to write this letter and show you how much you mean to not just me, but all the players you have coached before and after me also.
You have helped shaped me into the woman I am today. I have learned through you what it means to be strong, selfless, independent, confident, and to be the best version of myself. There has been many peaks and valleys during my time here at Texas A&M, but I can always count on you to keep me going in the right direction and get me out of my own way. I am so grateful to have a close knit relationship with you. I know even 20 years from now I can expect a call from you telling me to get out of my own way and just be confident in myself. Thank you for that.
I also wanted to say thank you from the whole team for giving each and every one of us a chance to grow to love the game every day. I know personally I have learned so many life lessons during softball through you. You have impacted the game of softball tremendously and continue to, each time you walk to the coaches box on the third baseline.
I can't imagine spending my four years playing for anyone else besides you. Thank you for reading that little piece of paper with my graduation year that was placed on your desk when I was just seven years old. Now, let's continue to shock the world and BTHOeverybody.
Gig'em Forever,
Kelbi Fortenberry #7
What current players are saying about Coach Evans' impact…
Payton McBride (2017-Current – LHP/1B)
"Throughout my 4 years here at Texas A&M, Coach Evans has been a person that has always had my back and will always be in your corner when you need her. She has taught me to be resilient and never back down. Coach Evans is a woman that does not give up even when times are tough, not on you, not on the situation, and not on herself. I have always admired how calm, cool, and collected she can be and that is something that I will try to mimic the rest of my life. She is a great coach and an amazing person."
Kendall Potts (2018-Current – RHP)
"Coach Evans has had such an impact on my life. I wouldn't have been able to continue to play the game that I love if it weren't for her. I'm grateful for the opportunity she's given me, and it's an honor to be able to play for her."
Kayla Poynter (2018-Current – RHP)
"I am forever grateful she took a chance on me and pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and make the move out to Texas. She's pushed me to become a better person and I couldn't be more thankful for her."
What former players/student managers/coaches are saying about Coach Evans' impact…
Sarah Balthrop (Former student manager)
"Coach Evans has been an excellent mentor and now friend for several years. She has always made me feel valued. She's a person that really sees and appreciates everyone – from the superstar, to the girl who's in charge of laundry. She has been an excellent example to follow as a coach as many of her actions on and off the field have influenced the kind of coach I have become. She is loyal and a true selfless leader. I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to learn from her over the past 16 years."
Trinity Harrington (2016-2018 – RHP)
"Coach Evans has inspired me to step out of my comfort zone and push myself to be a better person. She pushed the limits and have gone beyond when it comes to coaching. I look towards her when I am coaching and always think 'what would Coach Evans do?' Coach Evans has become one of my best friends that I can go to for advice or needing someone to talk to. And I know she will celebrate the little victories and help me understand my failures."
Rhi Kliesing (2008-2011 RHP/1B, 2012 student assistant, 2013-2016 volunteer pitching coach)
"Coach Evans gave me the opportunity to play and coach softball at Texas A&M University. She was an amazing coach and mentor to me for almost 10 years, and they were some of the best years of my life. Her passion for developing great athletes into empowered young women is something I will always admire."
Erica Russell (2015-2018 – OF)
"Coach Evans not only made me a better player on the field, but she made me a better person off the field. She shaped the woman I am today by building that fire in my belly, to constantly want to be THE BEST. I would not be who I am today without Coach Evans."
Ashley Walters (2015-2018 – C)
"Coach Evans taught me, among many others, a lot about the game of softball. However, this is not where she left the biggest impact on me. She has an infectious passion and dedication for coaching that has helped me to realize the importance of loving your job. She inspired me to seek happiness in what I do and to never settle for anything less."
First, I would like to start this letter off by saying thank you. Thank you for giving me a chance to play for the best university in the nation. That seven year old that swore to her whole elementary school class in 2nd grade, that she was going to play softball for Texas A&M, is screaming with excitement every time I get to put on that jersey with Texas A&M across my chest. With my last season approaching, I wanted to write this letter and show you how much you mean to not just me, but all the players you have coached before and after me also.
You have helped shaped me into the woman I am today. I have learned through you what it means to be strong, selfless, independent, confident, and to be the best version of myself. There has been many peaks and valleys during my time here at Texas A&M, but I can always count on you to keep me going in the right direction and get me out of my own way. I am so grateful to have a close knit relationship with you. I know even 20 years from now I can expect a call from you telling me to get out of my own way and just be confident in myself. Thank you for that.
I also wanted to say thank you from the whole team for giving each and every one of us a chance to grow to love the game every day. I know personally I have learned so many life lessons during softball through you. You have impacted the game of softball tremendously and continue to, each time you walk to the coaches box on the third baseline.
I can't imagine spending my four years playing for anyone else besides you. Thank you for reading that little piece of paper with my graduation year that was placed on your desk when I was just seven years old. Now, let's continue to shock the world and BTHOeverybody.
Gig'em Forever,
Kelbi Fortenberry #7
What current players are saying about Coach Evans' impact…
Payton McBride (2017-Current – LHP/1B)
"Throughout my 4 years here at Texas A&M, Coach Evans has been a person that has always had my back and will always be in your corner when you need her. She has taught me to be resilient and never back down. Coach Evans is a woman that does not give up even when times are tough, not on you, not on the situation, and not on herself. I have always admired how calm, cool, and collected she can be and that is something that I will try to mimic the rest of my life. She is a great coach and an amazing person."
Kendall Potts (2018-Current – RHP)
"Coach Evans has had such an impact on my life. I wouldn't have been able to continue to play the game that I love if it weren't for her. I'm grateful for the opportunity she's given me, and it's an honor to be able to play for her."
Kayla Poynter (2018-Current – RHP)
"I am forever grateful she took a chance on me and pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and make the move out to Texas. She's pushed me to become a better person and I couldn't be more thankful for her."
What former players/student managers/coaches are saying about Coach Evans' impact…
Sarah Balthrop (Former student manager)
"Coach Evans has been an excellent mentor and now friend for several years. She has always made me feel valued. She's a person that really sees and appreciates everyone – from the superstar, to the girl who's in charge of laundry. She has been an excellent example to follow as a coach as many of her actions on and off the field have influenced the kind of coach I have become. She is loyal and a true selfless leader. I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to learn from her over the past 16 years."
Trinity Harrington (2016-2018 – RHP)
"Coach Evans has inspired me to step out of my comfort zone and push myself to be a better person. She pushed the limits and have gone beyond when it comes to coaching. I look towards her when I am coaching and always think 'what would Coach Evans do?' Coach Evans has become one of my best friends that I can go to for advice or needing someone to talk to. And I know she will celebrate the little victories and help me understand my failures."
Rhi Kliesing (2008-2011 RHP/1B, 2012 student assistant, 2013-2016 volunteer pitching coach)
"Coach Evans gave me the opportunity to play and coach softball at Texas A&M University. She was an amazing coach and mentor to me for almost 10 years, and they were some of the best years of my life. Her passion for developing great athletes into empowered young women is something I will always admire."
Erica Russell (2015-2018 – OF)
"Coach Evans not only made me a better player on the field, but she made me a better person off the field. She shaped the woman I am today by building that fire in my belly, to constantly want to be THE BEST. I would not be who I am today without Coach Evans."
Ashley Walters (2015-2018 – C)
"Coach Evans taught me, among many others, a lot about the game of softball. However, this is not where she left the biggest impact on me. She has an infectious passion and dedication for coaching that has helped me to realize the importance of loving your job. She inspired me to seek happiness in what I do and to never settle for anything less."