Tufts’ Ross Named NFCA Donna Newberry “Perseverance” Award Recipient

LOUISVILLE, KY (October 20, 2026)  — The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) is honored to announce that Tufts University head coach Heather Ross is the 2026 recipient of the Association's Donna Newberry "Perseverance" Award, which recognizes an NFCA member coach who has demonstrated extraordinary strength of will and character in the fight to overcome a physical, mental, or social adversity that presented an additional challenge to the already demanding job of a coach.

Ross, who was just hired at Tufts in September after leading Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) to its two best seasons in school history to conclude a successful five-year run, was diagnosed with Stage III metastatic melanoma in June 2025. Two months later, she began immunotherapy treatments, traveling to Boston weekly. Then, in September 2025, she underwent surgery to remove 50 lymph nodes from her chest and shoulder areas. Despite the physical and emotional challenges that came with her diagnosis, surgery, recovery and ongoing treatment, Ross remained deeply committed to her student-athletes and her softball program. She provided the same leadership, support, and stability her players had always known from her.

"Coach Ross did not miss a single game," said Mandi Chaiyabhat, an assistant coach at WPI who followed her to Tufts. "She even showed up days after her surgery to the team's fall playdate."

"Although the challenges she faced personally were far greater than anything that could happen during a softball game, her presence provided a powerful example of perseverance to her players" Chaiyabhat continued. "She showed her athletes that adversity does not erase a person's life passions, or desire to pour into others. Strength is not always about having an easy path. Sometimes it is about continuing to show up and give your best even when the path becomes difficult."

Ross is the 13th recipient of the NFCA's Donna Newberry "Perseverance" Award, named in honor of the the all-time winningest coach in the history of NCAA Division III softball when she passed away in November 2010 due to breast cancer. Newberry spent 36 seasons with Muskingum College athletics, during which she amassed a record of 906-419-1 and helped guide Muskingum to 17 conference championships, 18 NCAA regional appearances, eight national championship appearances and the 2001 NCAA Division III national championship.

Last year Ross helped nominate 2025 Newberry Award recipient Jenna Patula from Babson College. Patula passed away in August 2026 following a courageous fight with PEComa, an extremely rare form of sarcoma. Her connection to Patula makes the recognition mean even more to Ross.

"I am incredibly honored to receive this recognition after a year filled with challenges, hardship, victories, and a whole lot of love," Ross said. "Just one year ago, my good friend Dani Bishop and I were celebrating alongside our dear friend Jenna Putala, the 2025 recipient of the NFCA Donna Newberry Award. We lost Jenna far too soon this past August, but her strength, courage, and spirit will forever leave a lasting impact on those who knew and loved her. To now receive this same award and have my name connected to hers is truly one of the greatest honors I could receive. I am extremely grateful to Dani, my assistant coach Mandi, and the NFCA for this recognition, and especially for the opportunity to carry a small piece of Jenna's legacy forward."

Bishop, the head coach at Brandeis University, and Chaiyabhat nominated Ross for the award this year.

"She faced an incredibly difficult personal battle while continuing to lead her program with strength, determination, and perseverance," Bishop wrote.

That perseverance carried into an historic 2026 season. WPI finished the year with a remarkable 44-5 record, including a 19-1 mark in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) play. The Engineers captured both the NEWMAC regular-season and tournament championships and earned the No. 4 overall seed in the NCAA Division III Softball Tournament.

Ross was named NEWMAC Coach of the Year and seven of her players earned All-NEWMAC honors, including freshman pitcher Abby Merchant, who was voted NEWMAC Rookie of the Year. A program-record seven players earned NFCA All-Region recognition, including four first-team selections, and three of those were chosen NFCA All-Americans.

What makes these accomplishments even more remarkable is everything Ross was managing away from the softball field. She continued balancing the demands of coaching a nationally-ranked program with cancer treatment and recovery. Ross also was a member of the NFCA Division III All-America Committee the past two seasons.

"A cancer diagnosis can change a person's life in an instant. It brings uncertainty and challenges that extend far beyond everyday responsibilities," Chaiyabhat said. "Yet, throughout this difficult chapter, she remained committed to the players and program she had worked so hard to build."

"Leading a college softball team requires far more than making lineup decisions or calling plays," Chaiyabhat continued. "A head coach is responsible for creating a culture, mentoring student-athletes, managing expectations, and guiding a team through both victories and disappointments. She continued to embody those responsibilities while navigating one of the most difficult personal challenges imaginable, a cancer diagnosis. Instead of teaching resilience through speeches, Heather was a living example."

"Her players saw firsthand what it means to persevere through circumstances beyond your control while continuing to show up for the people who depend on you," Bishop added.

"Heather's 2026 season will be remembered for championships, records and individual honors, but her greatest accomplishment cannot be measured in wins and losses," Bishop continued. "Her courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to her student-athletes embody the spirit of perseverance. At a time when it would have been completely understandable for softball to take a back seat, Heather continued to lead, mentor, and inspire those around her."

Ross started in her new role at Tufts on September 14, taking over a team that won 31 games, earned the #1 seed for the NESCAC regular-season and hosted an NCAA Regional at Spicer Field last year.

"Heather Ross is an extraordinary person, and we could not be more proud of her for receiving this well-deserved recognition," said Tufts Director of Athletics Ryan Pisarri. "Her courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to her student-athletes speak volumes about her character and leadership. Heather embodies so many of the qualities we value in our coaches at Tufts University, and we are incredibly fortunate to have her as part of our athletics family."