By Steven Aldridge, Union University Assistant Director of Athletics for Sports Communications
JACKSON, Tenn. – Union University softball head coach Sydney Sturner has announced that Bryan Wallen will be the new assistant coach for the program. Wallen takes over for Mark Ritchhart who left for a head coaching position at another school.
Sturner said, “I am incredibly excited to add Bryan to our staff. He brings a wealth of knowledge to the program, not only in his experience as a coach but as a follower of Jesus. I am looking forward to what God has in store with him helping lead the program. Bryan and his wife Kacy will be a blessing to this team and the university!”
Most recently, Wallen was the Director of Player Development for the softball team at Southeast Missouri State University in the spring of 2023 and helped lead the team to a regular season Ohio Valley Conference Title.
Wallen said, “I am so excited about this opportunity to not only share my love and passion for the game of softball, but also my faith. I want to thank Coach Sturner, the athletic department, and the entire university for making me fill like home as soon as I got here. My wife and I are excited to serve, love and be a part of this Union family.”
Wallen joins Union after nearly 30 years of teaching and coaching at the high school level in Missouri. He spent 28 years teaching at Park Hills Central High School where he coached baseball for 15 seasons (1999-2013), winning 165 games, two conference championships and a district championship. He also was the head softball coach at Park Hills Central in two different stints, from 1998-2003 and 2011-19, winning 191 games. Upon his return to the softball field in 2011, his teams won five conference championships and four district championships. His teams advanced to the state quarterfinals twice and finished runner-up in the state in 2018.
Wallen then coached for four years at neighboring Farmington High School while still teaching at Park Hills Central. In the four years from 2020-23, he led Farmington to two district titles, 96 total wins, and the school’s first ever Southeast Missouri Conference title.
In Wallen’s career, he has coached 20 all-state players and numerous academic all-state players. Since 2011, each of his softball teams have had at least six academic all-state players. His 2018 team finished first in the state in team GPA, while his 2021 team finished second.
Wallen spend 11 years coaching travel softball for the St. Louis Chaos, Midland Magic, and Top Gun organizations. He has coached over 100 college players. In 2023, Wallen finished his two-year term as the president of the Missouri High School Fast pitch Coaches’ Association. Prior to his term as president, he served on the executive board as the annual clinic organizer, where he brought in over 100 speakers from all levels of high school and college. He has conducted private lessons and clinics for the last 13 years, spoken at numerous clinics, and has assisted at several college softball camps.
Wallen also served as a bi-vocational youth pastor for 16 years at Esther Baptist Church.
Wallen and his wife, Kacy (retired pre-school teacher), were married in November 1996. They have two daughters, Chrissy (Webster University graduate, Professional Dancer) and Kimmy (Southeast Missouri State University graduate, softball player, on staff with FCA at USI).
