On Thursday, Appalachian State announced the addition of Kaylyn Belfield as a graduate assistant. Belfield just completed her collegiate playing career at UNC Greensboro, where she earned back-to-back All-Southern Conference First Team selections.
Before that, Belfield began her career at Lipscomb University in Nashville and started 88 of 92 games across two seasons as a standout player in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
Belfield was known for a solid bat and fantastic defense, as she made great plays look routine. A person with great faith, passion and fire for her place in softball, she took time to speak with me on this next step in her life.
What pulled her to App State is the competitive and fun edge the team carries. Belfield had the chance to witness Boone and App State as a player, getting a sample of the atmosphere.
“You can tell that fun, competitive culture really comes from the coaches and carries throughout the entire team,” Belfield told Southeastern Softball Wire. “It’s a group that really loves the game, loves competing, and is going to be super gritty. That combination of competing hard while still having fun really stood out to me and made it an environment I wanted to be a part of.”
Now that Belfield’s on the other side of playing, she is ready to take in everything from coach Jones and the Mountaineer softball staff. There is much to learn and to see from a different perspective.
“Coming straight out of my playing career, I’m excited to see softball from a different perspective and understand everything that goes on behind the scenes,” Belfield said. “I really just want to be a sponge, ask questions, learn as much as I can, and soak up the entire experience.”
This opportunity will hopefully lead to a future in coaching for Belfield. She already knows the importance of reaching people and knows that there is not a blanket approach for everyone.
“One of the biggest things I’ve learned throughout my playing career is how important it is to truly know the person you are working with,” she said. “Every player responds differently, learns differently, and needs to be coached differently. I think when you take the time to really understand someone, you learn how to communicate with them and ultimately work together toward the same goal.”
There is always a foundation underneath it all, and for Belfield that draws back to her faith. She is a willing servant and takes that approach in how she affects people.
“My faith is also a huge part of how I view coaching and leadership,” Belfield said. “I believe leadership is about being a servant and finding ways to pour into the people around you. Softball gives you an opportunity to help develop better people and better players, and I think the impact you can have on who they are as a person goes far beyond the game.”
Belfield has learned from some great examples in her life. Now, she takes those lessons and applies them as she continues her journey.
“I’ve been really fortunate to have people in my life who have shown me what that looks like,” she explained. “My dad has been an amazing travel ball coach and has inspired me from a young age to want to coach and give back to the game. More recently, my former coach at UNCG, Coach Ally, has also been a huge inspiration to me. Seeing the way they invest in their players and genuinely care about the people they coach has definitely made me want to do the same.”
