USA Softball is pleased to announce the addition of Walker Clark (Little Rock, Ark.), Anna Louie (San Francisco, Calif.), Mary Mahoney (Overland Park, Kan.) and Sandy Searcy (Indianapolis, Ind.) to the Board of Directors (BOD). Their appointments come as a result of regional elections and changes to the USA Softball Bylaws at the most recent USA Softball Annual Council Meeting.
With changes to the USA Softball Bylaws adding a BOD member to represent the Affiliated members within USA Softball, Sandy Searcy was chosen. Joining the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) staff as director of sports in 2015, Searcy is responsible for the sports of swimming and diving, water polo and softball, and assists in planning for the NFHS Summer Meeting, the National Athletic Directors Conference, the NFHS Student Leadership Summit, and is involved with the NFHS inclusion initiative. In addition to the BOD, Searcy serves on the USA Softball Equipment Testing and Certification Committee, ASA Properties Board, AAASP BOD, USA Diving BOD and USA Swimming Rules and Regulations Committee.
“The NFHS is honored to have been selected to represent the Affiliated constituency on USA Softball’s Board of Directors,” said Searcy. “This appointment further strengthens our collaboration and partnership with USA Softball, and I look forward to serving this next term.”
Walker Clark, representing the South Region, has been the USA Softball of Arkansas Commissioner since 2016. Since his commissioner appointment, Clark has increased registrations in the state of Arkansas and in turn, has received the USA Softball Triple Play award the last three years (2017-19). Clark will continue building and maintaining strong relationships with the state district commissioners, umpires and staff as commissioner, while also serving on the BOD.
“It is my honor to serve on the Board of Directors and represent the South, Region 4,” said Clark. “I have big shoes to fill and would like to thank E.T. Colvin for all his wisdom and willingness to work with me. I’m hoping to bring my years of experience to the Board and help develop new opportunities within our organization. This game has given so much to me and my family that I’ve always felt a responsibility to give back to our state and offer as many opportunities as possible for the young athletes to play this game at any level.”
The Pacific Coast Region will be represented by Anna Louie, who has been involved with USA Softball since the late 1970s when she began playing Slow Pitch. Louie fondly remembers winning the 2004 National Championship in the West and playing the East at historic Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, a huge accomplishment of her softball career. Continuing her passion for the game, she picked up umpiring before taking on administrative roles within her local association. Louie brings a wide range of experience to the BOD having served as Secretary and Deputy Commissioner before taking on the role of Commissioner in 2002, in addition to her involvement with the San Francisco Municipal Softball Association and CIF.
“To serve on the USA Softball Board of Directors is an honor and privilege,” said Louie. “Just like on the field of play, USA Softball as an organization is a team that I am grateful to be a part of and want to help build for the better in any way I can. My predecessor, Linda Ma, was instrumental in mentoring me and feeding my passion for softball to help me become who I am today, and I hope to do the same for many others.”
Representing the Mid-American Region is Mary Mahoney who has been the USA Softball of Kansas City Junior Olympic (JO) Commissioner and local association Vice President since 2002 while having been a Council Member since 1993. Mahoney serves on multiple committees and has been a USA Softball representative or tournament director for a combined 14 national tournaments. Responsible for the creation of all youth events and partnerships with local parks and recreation departments within the Kansas City Metro area, Mahoney oversees the finances for the JO program and manages all events.
“It is an honor to be selected to the USA Softball Board of Directors,” said Mahoney. “I look forward to working with my fellow board members and council members in developing programs and strategies that will ensure the continued success and standard of excellence that USA Softball is known for.”