Lakeview High School has announced that Coach Dodd will take over as head coach of the Lady Gators softball team following a strong season as assistant coach. Building on a successful foundation laid during the 2025 season, Dodd brings a wealth of experience and a championship pedigree to the role.
“I won a state title in high school and played college ball at California State University, Fullerton, where we reached the College World Series twice, and in 1986, we won the Division I National Championship,” Dodd said. “I also played professionally in Holland and earned silver medals in the European Cup and the USA Olympic Festival when softball was being introduced into the Olympics. My college softball team was inducted into the CSUF Hall of Fame in 2022.”
Dodd moved to Natchitoches in 2017 following a 30-year career in law enforcement and quickly became involved in local youth sports. She led NSU Middle Lab to three consecutive district titles as head coach. In late 2024, former Lakeview head coach Blake Dodson invited her to join the Gators as his assistant.
“I didn’t hesitate because I knew the program needed knowledgeable coaching willing to put in the time to make a difference,” she said. “Coach Blake and I were able to get the team to the playoffs and achieve the first-year goals we set for the team.”
With Dodson stepping away from coaching due to other career responsibilities, Dodd is now poised to lead the program forward.
“He will be missed,” she said, “but I will do my best to keep the team heading in the right direction.”
Lakeview supporters are excited to see what the upcoming seasons hold under Coach Dodd’s leadership.
