Hired in the summer of 2016, David Alshay enters his second season as head coach of the Highlanders in the 2018 season. Alshay is the 19th head coach in Cairn softball history.
"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."
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 2005.
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 was 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 understands the importance of having fun when on the softball field, but also the focus needed in practice to develop as a team. “Softball is fun! I think working on getting better in practice is awesome. Playing in a game is an expression of all the effort you put in up to that point. If we give everything we have to become our best before we get to the game than we can play with no fear.”
Alshay, a Kensington, PA native, and his wife JaneMarie currently live in Washington Township, N.J.
