Contact: Drew Sauer, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324

Jan. 11, 2021 – North Central College athletic director Jim Miller '86 is pleased to announce the hiring of Venus Taylor as the seventh head coach in the history of the Cardinal softball program.
 
Taylor comes to North Central after spending the last two seasons at NCAA Division I Charleston Southern University, where she led the Buccaneers to a Big South Conference Tournament appearance in 2019.
 
"After completing a national search with a strong and varied candidate pool, we are excited to announce the hiring of Venus Taylor as our new head softball coach," said Miller. "We are very pleased to be able to hire such an accomplished individual who embraces the whole student-athlete experience.
 
"Coach Taylor brings 22 years of successful coaching, playing, and softball-related experiences to her new role. Her professional goals match ours in that we want to embrace and encourage the entire student-athlete experience as an NCAA Division III institution.  She has a vision that will allow us to continue to compete at the highest level within the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin, region, and nation."
 
Prior to her stint at Charleston Southern, Taylor led Judson University to the NCCAA World Series in three consecutive seasons, 2016, 2017 and 2018, while earning Regional Coach of the Year honors in each of her four years at the helm of the Eagles.
 
With coaching experience spanning all collegiate divisions, Taylor also served as head coach at Bradley University from 2003-05 and led Lake City Community College to a NJCAA National Championship in 2001. 
 
"First I want to thank Jim Miller for the opportunity," said Taylor, "I have been very impressed with him during our interactions.  I would also like to thank my family, teammates, colleagues both past and present, and all of my former coaches, because I feel like everyone has played a role in my life and career up to this point.  They have given me the ability to do what I love and give back to the players I will coach.
 
"Coach Kulawiak has laid a strong winning foundation.  North Central has a winning mentality and the athletic department has cultivated a championship culture.  I think the leadership is phenomenal, the institution is well rounded and the support that is provided to student-athletes made it a very appealing place to be."
 
Taylor's National Professional Softball career spanned nine seasons, including stints with the Carolina Diamondbacks, Tampa Bay Firestix, New York/New Jersey Juggernaut and Chicago Bandits.  A three-time all-star (1997, 1998, 1999) and two-time World Champion (1999 Firestix and 2004 Juggernaut), Taylor spent time in Naperville during her time with the Bandits and has kept an eye on the Cardinal program ever since.

Elected into the Western Illinois University Hall of Fame in 2009, Taylor was the 1997 Mid-Continent Conference (now The Summit League) Player of the Year, and finished her career with single-season records for hits (68), runs scored (50) and stolen bases (42).  Her 42 stolen bases in 1997 still rank second in The Summit League's all-time single-season record book.
 
 "The thing I love about the Division III level is that the players want to be there because they love the game," said Taylor.  "These players aren't on scholarship, they're just here because they want to play the game.  I love that because I love players who are passionate. 
 
"One of my biggest strengths is I have been exposed to many different mentors and coaches throughout the game.  I'm extremely grateful that I've been the places I've been, and I feel like through all the people I have met along the way I have the skill set to help this program take that next step forward.  In addition to North Central being a great move for my career, it's also a great move for me and my family."

The 45^th season of North Central softball is set to begin this spring and the Cardinals' 2021 schedule will be released at a later date.