An illustrious five-year career recently came to an end for Chattanooga Mocs softball star middle infielder Emily Coltharp following Southern Conference Tournament play a few weeks ago. The five-year journey proved to be spectacular, decorated and most importantly, impactful.
Let's start down I-75 in McDonough, Georgia at Union Grove High School. A flashy scholastic prospect, Emily produced blistering all-around numbers that included a career .415 batting average, over 40 career stolen bases and in the classroom, multiple academic laurels over the four-year span.
The recruiting process picked up as her production levels continued to excel in the scholastic ranks.
So, what did that process exactly look like and how did UTC and longtime head coach Frank Reed factor into this? It's unique.
"My recruiting process was long and a grueling process for me," described Coltharp.
Why would the process of living out a Division I dream be so grueling?
"Coach Reed first saw me at a tournament in Colorado where I got injured in the game," she mentioned. "After that happened, he [coach] would constantly text or call and check up on me to make sure I was okay, so I knew that was the kind of person I wanted to play for."
A blessing in disguise. "The coaching staff at UTC took a chance on me and I was extremely grateful for that."
She took that chance and arrived on campus in the fall of 2018 in preparation for the upcoming 2019 spring season. The emotions for an incoming freshman are stereotypically always anxious, nervous, and excited. She agreed with those traits ahead of day one.
"I remember I was extremely nervous but excited to start this new journey. Everybody was so helpful and welcoming, and this helped the transition go extremely smooth."
Extremely smooth is an understatement. She earned the opening day start at shortstop as a true freshman and would go on to provide one of the most stellar rookie campaigns in program history.
The 2019 Southern Conference Freshman of the Year and NFCA National Freshman of the Year nominee, Emily finished third in the entire league with a .348 (55-for-158) batting average which included 15 multi-hit games. She also led the team with 12 stolen bases, ranked second with 33 runs scored, and tied a school record with a five-hit performance against rival Samford during a crucial late May contest.
How did that translate to the team's success? A Southern Conference Tournament title and NCAA Regional Appearance … in year one … as a freshman … on a veteran-led team.
The missing piece some would say.
"She felt like the missing piece to the puzzle for us that year," said teammate Emma Sturdivant, who was a senior leader on the 2019 team before returning as a volunteer assistant coach for her final season in 2023.
"Not just because of what she produced in that season, but as a teammate as well. The best word to describe playing with Emily, especially in the infield, was fun," Sturdivant added.
From playing with the always-smiling shortstop to coaching her, Sturdivant reiterated the transition between the two duties was easy because of who Emily is as a person.
"She is such a kind and respectful person, so it was an easy transition and the dynamic never felt uncomfortable. I felt so much pride being her teammate, but nothing beats being her coach when she's doing Emily-like-things because I could actually be a fan," Sturdivant gleefully added.
After enduring a COVID-halted season in 2020 as a sophomore, her "junior" campaign in 2021 did not feature the typical team success the program is used to achieving. Then comes 2022, her "senior" season.
Sitting at 22-25 with just a three-game series left before postseason play, the team would end the season winning eight of its final 10 games which included a clean four-game sweep of the Southern Conference Tournament in route to making another NCAA Regional Appearance. The team would go on to earn a 1-0 win over Murray State during regional play to notch the program's first NCAA Tournament win since 2011.
Emily captured the Southern Conference batting title behind a .381 (72-for-189) average to become the first Moc to win it in a complete season since 2012 (surprise, she also led the league at .415 before COVID in 2020). She was also the fifth Moc to win it since 2002.
Additionally, she was honored as the Southern Conference's Nominee for the NCAA's Woman of the Year laurel. The award honors the academic achievements, athletics excellence, community service and leadership of graduating female college athletes from all three NCAA divisions.
In short: the award honors student-athlete exactly like Emily.
Four years down, two championships, multiple on-field awards, and even additional off-field honors, she still carried an additional year of eligibility option for the 2023 season due to the COVID blanket waiver rule across the NCAA.
As Chattanooga developed into a new 'home' for Emily, it was an easy decision to return for her fifth and final year in 2023 and play one more season in the Blue & Gold. She solidified her legacy not only inside the program, but on the campus of UTC.
A five-year career taught her many life lessons and created lifelong memories with the people who matter most.
"I will always remember the memories that I made with my teammates. Whether it was from winning championships, singing to the top of our lungs on the bus rides, or just goofing around in the locker room," added a grateful Coltharp.
She continued, "My biggest takeaway I learned from this five-year journey is that softball is so much more than a game. Of course, you want to succeed, but I have made so many incredible memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.
"This journey has taught me so many valuable lessons in life and I feel like I left this program a better person than when I started it."
One word specifically comes to mind when you think how to sum up Emily's career: legacy.
"Derek Jeter of the UTC softball program, in every sense," Sturdivant labeled the always-steady middle infielder and leader.
Emily humbly added, "I hope that if I left any type of legacy behind, it's a legacy of leadership, positivity, and hard work. I always tried to set a positive example for the younger girls behind me, not necessarily by what I said, but how I played and handled failure."
Luckily for everyone in the Chattanooga area, she will be staying put in the Scenic City for the foreseeable future as she pursues her Master's degree and begins her professional workload as an intern at Unum downtown.
Emily Coltharp has left UTC, the softball program, and everything in between, a better place. Thank you, Emily, for all you've done.
Your historic legacy is forever cemented.