Laura North is returning to the baseline as the new head softball coach at Upper Iowa University. North was the head softball coach at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa from 2014 through 2018.
 
"I could not be more excited for our University, athletics department and softball program," said UIU Vice President for Athletics Rick Hartzell. "Coach North is a perfect fit for our program. Her experience of success as both a coach and player brought her to the forefront of our search quickly. Her values line up with our department's core values of grit, pride and growth and she is eager to help bring out the best in our softball student-athletes."
 
During her five seasons at Indian Hills, she served as the head coach for four years after joining as the associate head coach for the 2014 campaign. The Warriors won both the regular season conference title and Region XII Championships in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 with North leading the coaching staff. The team qualified for two NJCAA DI National Tournaments during her four years at the helm as well. North was named the NCJAA Region XII Coach of the Year in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
 
"I am extremely excited to coach Upper Iowa softball and get back on the field," said North. "This program is on the brink of something special and I can't wait to lead this team. I would like to thank Rick Hartzell for believing in me and giving me this opportunity to lead the UIU softball program.  Also, Sarah Swanson has been tremendous during the hiring process and the transition during these past two weeks.  I especially would like to thank my husband Dave and my four sons for encouraging me to follow my dream of coaching softball again and for being proud of me.  And finally, to my extended family - Katie and Nik Moser and Jake and Jess Espenmiller for all the conversations and endless support for me and my family. Faith, Family, Fastpitch... let's do this!"
 
North competed for the Loper softball team at the University of Nebraska at Kearney from 1995-1999. The team qualified for the NCAA Division II Championships in each of her four seasons. As a junior and senior, she served the team as a captain and earned both the 1997 and 1998 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Player of the Year honors. Prior to graduating, North was named the UNK Female Scholar Athlete of the Year. Since graduating, she has been selected to the RMAC All-Century Team and the UNK Hall of Fame and her 2017 Loper softball team was inducted into the RMAC Hall of Fame.
 
"I started my college softball career at the NCAA DII level," added North. "Division II has always held a special place in my heart.  I love the DII model and the balance it creates for student-athletes.  Now having the opportunity to coach at that level, and in Iowa, is super exciting to me.  The NSIC is an outstanding softball conference.  I'm up for the challenge and thrive on competition and feel that with some stability and consistency, Upper Iowa can work its way to the top of the NSIC."
 
Most recently, North was the President of the Oskaloosa Indoor Sports Complex and the founder of Diamond Life, LLC which provides lessons, camps, clinics and mentoring for youth softball players.
 
"I'll be implementing a championship culture in the UIU softball program with high standards and accountability," said North. "The balance between winning on and off the field, and developing relationships is where we become a championship culture.  Family is the most important thing to me, and the UIU softball team will be a family in itself where we respect, appreciate and love each other through the game of softball."
 
Prior to her time in Ottumwa, North served as a part-time assistant coach at Central College in Pella, Iowa from 2010 through 2013.
 
"Upper Iowa softball will be fast-paced, energetic, and FUN! I see my coaching style as a combination of old-school and new school," said North. "I love the home runs, but love small-ball even more. I've always been addicted to the cerebral part of softball and look forward to teaching strategies to give us every chance to win."
 
North started her coaching career at the high school level with stops at Holdrege High School, Logan-Magnolia High School, and Des Moines Lincoln High School. All three jobs led to her earning the title of head softball coach at Cloud County Community College in Concordia, Kansas. At Cloud County, she took a 1-52 program to a record of 26-25 in just one season with only ten players on the roster.
 
Last season, the Peacock softball team went 24-28 (14-15 NSIC) and earned the program's first postseason appearance since 2019. The Peacocks had record-setting offensive outputs in 2022 powered by All-American Katie Crogan.