The Next Chapter: Coach Brittany Hendrickson Leads Mt. Hood’s Youngest Saints

Brittany Hendrickson has spent the past decade coaching the Mt. Hood Community College softball program. Her focus is on growth, accountability, and connection, both on and off the field. Coach Hendrickson spent one season coaching at Concordia University Irvine before returning to Oregon to be closer to family and joining the Saints program. She was excited to step into a program that already had a solid history and a strong foundation in place. Over the last ten years, she has worked to strengthen that foundation while building a culture centered on support, competition, and academic responsibility.

This year’s Saints roster is one of the youngest groups Hendrickson has coached. The seventeen freshmen on the team create a fast-paced and energetic environment. Even though the team is young, there is talent across the field. The team includes players who bring both speed on the bases and power at the plate. Early on, they have proven that they can compete at a high level against tough opponents. One clear difference this season is the level of competition for playing time. Practices have become more competitive, and players expect more from themselves and from each other. 

The Saints continue to come together as the season moves forward. The defense and pitching keep the team steady, and the offense continues to improve as the season moves along. Rather than relying on a single strength, the team has worked hard to achieve balance across all areas of the game. That balance has allowed the Saints to remain competitive and to adjust to different styles of play.

Off the field, the team focuses on getting to know one another and building the trust that comes from shared time and experience. Players support each other through busy schedules, travel, and the everyday demands of college softball. That support shows up in small, steady ways throughout the season. With so many new players, the coaching staff has made team bonding a regular priority through monthly team dates and organized activities, giving athletes time to connect and strengthen how they work together during the year.

Leadership has taken shape across the roster. Sophomore Kate Dunham is the team’s only returning captain. She is a hard worker and sets the tone in practice by providing a steady example to follow. Freshmen Orie Rau, Olivia Stone, and Chloe McKenzie were chosen by their teammates as team captains, reflecting the trust they have already earned early in their college careers.

Coach Hendrickson and her staff continue to keep academics at the center of the program. Team GPA goals, batting and fielding benchmarks, and other performance targets are paired with the goal of competing for a championship. Players complete weekly study hall hours, turn in progress reports, and attend team study halls throughout the season. The program operates with the expectation that success in the classroom is part of success on the field. Being a member of the Mt. Hood Saints softball program also means having support beyond the game itself. Players are encouraged to lean on teammates and staff through academic challenges and personal situations to help them manage the pace and responsibilities of college life.

This season also connects the current team to the program’s past. Mt. Hood Community College is proud to announce that the 2014 Saints Softball Team, along with former student-athlete Teauna Hughes, will be inducted into the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) Hall of Fame this June. For today’s players, that recognition serves as a reminder of the program’s history and the standard that has been built over time. Several members of the current coaching staff once played for the Saints. Their experience helps connect today’s athletes to past teams and keeps long-standing traditions in place.

For a young roster still finding its identity, Brittany Hendrickson’s program continues to focus on more than wins. The team places value on leadership, academics, and the support that helps players grow during their time at Mt. Hood and beyond.