Interim coach Fuson named NIC head softball coach

COEUR d'ALENE — Following two abbreviated seasons as interim coach, Shay Fuson has been named head coach of the North Idaho College women's softball team, athletic director Bobby Lee announced.

Fuson was interim coach in 2020, when NIC started 4-8 before COVID-19 eventually canceled the season.

She was interim coach this season, which began late because of COVID protocols. The Cardinals posted a 23-6 record.

Before becoming interim coach, Fuson was an assistant at NIC for six seasons under Don Don Williams, who started the Cardinal program in 1998, and left NIC following the 2019 season to become head coach at NCAA Division I Southern Utah University in Cedar City.

“NIC softball has great tradition and a history of success,” Lee said in an NIC news release. “Shay has a strong passion for NIC softball, and I am excited to work with her.”

Fuson played softball at NIC under Williams from 2006 to 2008 and led the team in 2007 to an NJCAA Region 18 championship and second place at the NJCAA national tournament. Fuson was an All-American in 2008 and still holds several records at NIC.

Before coming to NIC, the former Shay Craig starred at Timberline High in Boise.

She continued her softball career at NCAA Division I Adelphi University in Garden City, N.Y., and was voted 2011 team MVP, holding a team-high batting average while also leading her team in RBIs and total bases. Her team made it to the Northeast-10 Conference championship playoffs in 2011. Fuson graduated from Adelphi with honors in 2011 and was an NE-10 second-team all-conference selection the same year.

“The process that led us to select Shay was very competitive, and I’m very grateful to the search committee,” Lee said. “Now, I’m excited to watch Shay lead the softball team and make her impact with the program.”