From Emory University Athletics
Emory University Associate Vice President of Campus Life and Clyde Partin, Sr. Director of Athletics Keiko Price has announced the appointment of India Chiles as the next head coach of the Emory University softball program.
Chiles, a former All-American and SEC Player of the Year with the University of Tennessee, joins the Eagles after serving as the Director of Southeast Championship Training and Head Coach of the Fury Platinum 18u National Team. Chiles has also owned and operated SlapperNation, LLC since 2011, a training company that specializes in teaching slap hitting in a clinic setting.
"I am beyond thrilled to announce the new leader for our softball program," said Price. "India brings a dynamic vision for enhancing and elevating our supportive culture to help our softball players thrive. Her natural ability to connect with athletes, her experience as an elite softball player, and her breadth of professional experiences, coupled with her connections within club softball will be a great asset to the future of our program."
Regarded as one of the best slappers to ever play the sport, Chiles helped the Lady Vols to four NCAA tournament appearances from 2004-07, including three straight trips to the Women's College World Series. During her senior season, Chiles became the first Tennessee player to be named the SEC Player of the Year and was tabbed as a First Team All-American as she led the Lady Vols to the WCWS national championship game. Following her collegiate career, Chiles was invited to the USA Softball Olympic National Team tryout in 2007 and would later be selected 19th overall by the Akron Racers of the National Pro Fastpitch.
"I am extremely grateful to join the Emory University family," expressed Chiles. "This program and this university are first class and I am excited to give this team 100% of me, 100% of the time. Emory Softball has state-of-the-art facilities and amenities that are deserving of another championship run right away. I fully intend to live up to the expectations of our athletes, department and supporters."
As she continued to grow SlapperNation, Chiles got her start in coaching at the collegiate level as she returned to her alma mater as an assistant coach primarily working with the slappers and outfielders during the 2018 and 2019 seasons, helping the team to a berth in the Super Regionals each season. Following her second stint on Rocky Top, Chiles joined the club scene with SCT in August of 2020.
In addition to coaching, Chiles spent seven years as a nurse in neonatal ICU units prior to becoming a pharmaceutical representative with Johnson & Johnson. She then would join the BSN Sports team as a national account manager in the club fastpitch market in October of 2019.
She will officially begin her duties with the Eagles on August 25.