Langhorne, PA – This morning the Cairn Athletic Department officially announced David Alshay as the head coach of the Cairn softball team. A 1998 graduate of Cairn University, Alshay returns to his alma mater for the 2017 season with a wealth of softball knowledge, particularly in the pitching circle.

"It is exciting to announce alumnus David Alshay as the new head coach for the Highlanders' softball program," said Athletic Director Laura Behnke on Thursday. "In addition to his tactical knowledge and fundamental insight, David brings great attention to detail and is eager to begin developing a culture of excellence."

Alshay will join the Highlanders later this summer and will be preparing for non-traditional fall practices that begin in just a few short months.

"I'm very excited to be a part of the Cairn athletic department," said Alshay of his appointment. "Cairn has always been a place for me where I really feel God's presence. Ever since I was a student here, Cairn has just been a special place for me."

As mentioned, Alshay is very familiar with the University, he received his Bachelor's Degree in Bible from Cairn University in 1998. He later attended The American College and earned his Master's in Financial Services in 2002.

On the bench, Alshay has had the opportunity to work with a number of high-level travel teams in the Philadelphia and New Jersey area. His expertise comes in the circle where he was mentored by the late Ernie Parker.

"I've been in coaching for many years and I thank the Lord for this, but I've had some great success in the sport of softball," stated Alshay. "I've had the opportunity to work with some high level travel programs over the years and I count it as truly a blessing to have been mentored by Ernie Parker, who is one of the best pitching coaches around."

While he has thoroughly enjoyed his time on the bench working with a variety of travel teams, Alshay views his new position at Cairn as a tremendous opportunity to blend faith and coaching together.

"In my experience coaching softball, I have never had the opportunity to have conversations about faith with my players. I was always trying to lead my players to Christ, but it was always through actions," said Alshay. "Coaching softball at Cairn offers me the opportunity to talk with players about faith and how that integrates into softball and life."

Alshay will be taking over a program that went 1-31 during the 2016 campaign. He understands that the turnaround process cannot happen overnight.

"It's going to be a marathon not a sprint. We're going to have a lot of fun in the process and when it's all said and done the softball team at Cairn is going to be something that honors and reflects the mission of the University."

Follow CairnHighlanders.com for the most up to date news on the softball team as they prepare for the 2017 season.