Coutresy of North Carolina Central Athletic Communications
DURHAM, N.C. — Director of Athletics Dr. Ingrid Wicker McCree has announced the promotion of Cat Tarvin to head coach of the North Carolina Central softball program. Tarvin served as the NCCU interim softball head coach in 2020-21 and was an assistant coach for the Eagles the three seasons prior to that from 2017-2020.
"I am excited about Coach Tarvin's appointment as NCCU head softball coach," Wicker McCree said. "She did an amazing job last year and displayed her ability to lead this group of talented young women. We look forward to more success for our softball program under her leadership."
In her one season as interim head coach, Tarvin guided the Eagles to a 9-7 conference record before leading the Eagles to a runner-up finish in the 2021 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Softball Championship. It marked the first time NCCU advanced to the championship game of the MEAC tourney since joining the league in 2011.
Tarvin coached three All-MEAC honorees last season in seniors Kiara Hurley, Joirea Dumas and Tamiera Sanchez. She also mentored six MEAC weekly award winners in the spring of 2021.
As an assistant coach, Tarvin helped in all facets of the NCCU softball program with an emphasis on pitching. In that role, Tarvin coached back-to-back 18-game winners in Hurley (2019) and Courtney Mirabella (2018). They both earned All-MEAC honors for their respective outstanding seasons under Tarvin's guidance, with their 18 wins tying as a program modern era record for single season wins.
Tarvin successfully earned a graduate degree with honors while coaching the Eagles her first two seasons at NCCU. She completed her Master of Science degree in physical education and recreation with a concentration in athletic administration in the Fall of 2019.
Tarvin, who was a standout NCAA Division I softball student-athlete, joined the Eagles after coaching at Emory University for one season.
Tarvin started her collegiate career playing two seasons at Kennesaw State University before transferring to Presbyterian College.
As a senior for the Blue Hose, Tarvin was named team MVP and a Second Team Big South All-Conference honoree as a utility player. She batted .316 that season with 10 doubles, nine home runs, two doubles, 31 RBI, 34 runs and five stolen bases playing a combination of outfield, pitcher and designated hitter. Tarvin batted .293 with 14 stolen bases as a junior.
Tarvin had success at KSU as well, earning Atlantic Sun All-Freshman Team accolades before earning co-captain distinction as a sophomore. Tarvin batted .293 with 13 RBI as a rookie for the Owls.
In four seasons, Tarvin won 15 games from the pitcher's circle.
Tarvin graduated from Presbyterian with a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology in 2013.
The Lawrenceville, Georgia, native has additional coaching experience as a pitching coach at Holy Innocents Episcopal School; an instructor/coach for Georgia Elite Gold Softball; a camp instructor at Duke University and University of Tennessee; and a private instructor.