To be part of the USA Softball Women's National Team was an opportunity Brigham Young coach Gordon Eakin couldn't pass up.
On one hand, it is an opportunity to continue an association that began in the 1980s when Eakin played for the U.S. national team.
Eakin earned a silver medal in the 1994 Pan American Games.
Another reason Eakin embraces his role as assistant coach on the U.S. team that will play in the Canada Cup and World Cup concerns what he brings back to his role as BYU coach.
"To be around some of the best coaches in the world and to interact, talk strategies and philosophy, being around the best sharpens your game," said Eakin, moments following his Cougars' 13th consecutive victory and 16th in 17 games this past Saturday. "Being around those players, they teach you a lot, too."
There is also one other positive about having associations with top-notch coaches and players from other college programs.
"I've got to think it helps with recruiting," Eakin said. "There are a lot of prospects in the country now since I was selected [to the national team] four years ago that know that and will listen to me. Prior to that, maybe not."
Under Eakin's watch, BYU's softball program has been slowly building into a regional power. The Cougars are on track for their fifth consecutive NCAA tournament berth, as well as their fifth straight season of having 40-plus wins.
"Gordon has demonstrated his willingness to work and he has the ability to help our program grow," said Ronnie Isham, director of the U.S. national team.
On June 8, Eakin, selected from a pool of 14 coaches, and five other collegiate head coaches begin five days of intense work in preparation for the beginning for training camp, which begins June 29 at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif. They will assist Jay Miller, head coach of Missouri.
The Canada Cup takes place July 3-12 in Surrey, B.C.; while the World Cup of Softball is scheduled for July 13-20 in Oklahoma City, Okla.
The World Cup is played in non-Olympic years and is being played for just the fourth time.
"We're so excited for him," BYU catcher Jessica Purcell said. "He does a great job for us. He's always there, anything we need. Even if it is not about softball, he's always there for us."
Now in his seventh season, Eakin's teams at BYU have been on the cusp of reaching the NCAA Super Regional. The Cougars were a game away in 2008 and 2007.
Eakin understands what it means -- and what it takes -- to reach a higher level of success. He was named to the U.S. All-Star team three times and was chosen to play in three U.S. Olympic Sports Festivals, winning gold in 1994.
"It's a good opportunity to see how the game is played in other parts of the world," Isham said. "The different styles of coaching and styles of play."
All of which ultimately aids the Cougars.
"All the ingredients are certainly there," Eakin said.
