Trena Prater Talks Memphis
Memphis Softball has found its fourth head coach in program history. On Monday, the University announced the hiring of Trena Prater, previously from Campbell, as head coach.
On Wednesday morning, we would speak with Prater about the new job, what she wants the program to be along with characteristics, and her “Why” in life.
She would start by saying that she had “driven 11 straight hours to get to town and get to work.” She was getting unpacked as she was in the city for right at 24 hours. Prater would speak extremely highly of newly appointed AD, Dr Ed Scott, by saying that when she heard the news of his hiring it was a “no brainer and that she wanted to work under him and his leadership” at Memphis.
When speaking about the program and how she wants to coach and play she didn’t mince words by saying “First we will have fun. We will also be loud. After that, we will pitch well and be aggressive on the base paths and keep pressure on the opponent’s defense” which Tiger fans should find refreshing. You may have noticed she would say the team would be “loud” when speaking about having fun. She would also speak on the city and recruiting when saying “I want to inspire girls who look like me to be successful and play sports at the same time.”
Prater wants the players to be proud to be a Tiger as she is proud to be their coach.
Prater would talk about this when saying “Since I’ve been here I am meeting the HR team, the team, and getting to work on getting the ball rolling on the season”. We will go back to her opening statement of sacrifice. “11 straight hours to get to town and get to work”.
When speaking on why Memphis she would open up to what others have said to her about it, Prater would say “I have had some people ask me why leave a back-to-back conference champion for a last-place Memphis? I tell them I love a good challenge and want to make Memphis the best it can be.”
With 9 seasons as a head coach, Prater understands that winning isn’t easy but it’s achievable. We do not see the Memphis program with only 4 wins this upcoming season based on her two seasons in Campbell and 79 wins accumulated.
Prater would speak on her “Why” in life and it was simple. Her son, Deuce, and she blushed with pride as she answered. She would speak on this further by saying “The last five years have been all about making sure he is being put in the best position possible. He is my why. Everything I do is for him.”
As we stated on our podcast on the Tigers, this program, its players, their parents, and others deserve to get this right and be successful. Memphis Softball made a major move with Prater now at the helm. From her dedication and passion to get to work, to her character and style of play, to characteristics of the program, and her love of coaching and her son, Trena Prater is now the leader of the Memphis Softball program, and the future seems very bright.
Memphis Softball fans, its the Prater era for the Tigers!
