BRUCE YOUNG begins his third season as the head coach at Avila . A member of the Missouri High School Coaches Hall of Fame, Young enjoyed success at three different high schools and has been an assistant coach at the collegiate level for more than six seasons. Young is a graduate of Northwest Missouri State University .

Since taking the job, Coach Young has stressed accountability with his young team. Knowing that the team will be only as strong as they are united, he has also put the team in various situations where they have been given the opportunity to grow together. This past spring, various team members were involved in volunteer work in the community and their contributions to the area will continue this school year. Throughout recruitment, Young has stressed three major points: 1) recruit good people that have a desire to earn a degree; 2) provide opportunity for academic support and insure retention of the athletes; and 3) graduate the players. He feels that with these three goals in mind, success will come to the program.

Coach Young and his wife of 37 years, Dwyla, raised three children, Julie, Lindy and Kara. Coach Dwyla Young is an assistant softball coach at Avila .