CANTON – Kelsy Waite of Winthrop has been named the next head coach of the SUNY Canton softball program, it was announced Tuesday, Aug. 20.
Waite was an assistant softball coach at SUNY Potsdam last season, helping the Bears to wins over fellow SUNYAC players Plattsburgh State and Brockport and wins over local schools such as Clarkson, St. Lawrence and Oswego State in the 2024 season. Prior to coaching at Potsdam, she was a four-year member of the Plattsburgh State softball program as a first baseman.
“Kelsy is very familiar with the SUNYAC, having spent a total of five seasons as a player and coach in Plattsburgh and Potsdam,” said Athletic Director Randy Sieminski. “We look forward to her using those experiences to take our softball program to the next level when we enter the SUNYAC for our inaugural season in the spring of 2025.”
After her freshman season in Plattsburgh was canceled due to the COVID pandemic, Waite played for the Cardinals for three seasons, appearing in 52 games with 33 hits, 15 runs, 19 walks and 23 RBIs. She finished her career with a .366 on-base percentage. In her final season, she helped the Cardinals to their first sweep against Cortland since 2006, hitting a walk-off single and a walk-off sacrifice fly to secure the sweep. Waite also appeared on the SUNYAC Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll several times.
“I want to thank Randy Sieminski and the rest of the search committee for trusting me to be the next head softball coach at SUNY Canton,” Waite said. “After spending my entire college career coaching and playing in the SUNYAC and North Country, I am excited to take the helm of the Roos softball program. I look forward to hitting the ground running with the returning student-athletes and new recruits as we look to create a successful transition to SUNYAC softball.”
Waite is from Winthrop, NY, where she played three sports at St. Lawrence Central: softball, soccer and basketball. She was named First Team All-Northern in softball. Waite graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh with a bachelor’s degree in fitness and wellness leadership.
