18 Jun 2025 NPC selects head softball coach

HOT SPRINGS — The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawk softball team has selected its next head coach. 

Dorrie Cormier will serve as the Nighthawks’ third softball coach in program history. A native of Lafayette, Louisiana, Cormier most recently served as the assistant community manager for National Park College and previously served as an assistant coach for Nighthawk softball for two seasons. 

As a player, Cormier was a First-Team All-District pitcher and All-State Honorable Mention for Acadiana High School in Louisiana. On the college stage, Cormier shined as a pitcher and outfielder for Bossier Parish Community College and Texas A&M University-Texarkana, where she earned First-Team Conference Pitcher honors, First-Team All-Region Pitcher honors and Red River Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year honors. 

“National Park College has always felt like home to me,” Cormier said. “I am truly honored to take on the role of head softball coach. During my time as an assistant coach, I witnessed the incredible talent, dedication and potential within this program. I am eager to lead these student-athletes and foster a culture of excellence, resilience and unity—both on and off the field. It is a privilege to serve NPC in this new capacity and I am excited for what lies ahead in the future of our softball program.”

“We are excited to welcome Dorrie Cormier as our new head softball coach,” NPC Athletic Director Rich Thompson said. “Dorrie was with our program during our most successful seasons and bringing her energy and knowledge to our program means we can continue our winning ways here at NPC. An impressive college playing career has led to her success as a coach and her ability to understand our student-athletes’ needs, especially in the circle. Serving as the Assistant Community Manager in our residence hall for the past few years, Dorrie also understands our academic offerings as well as our on-campus programs, which makes her valuable beyond the softball field.” 

Cormier succeeds Autumn Wyatt, who served as head coach for the past four seasons before accepting the head softball coach position at East Central University, her alma mater, this summer. Wyatt leaves NPC as the winningest coach in program history, amassing a 121-89 record with a 67-35 mark in National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 2 play. Wyatt’s NPC tenure includes a Region 2 Coach of the Year honor, a Region 2 Tournament runner-up finish in 2023, a Southwest Plains District Tournament runner-up finish in 2024, 17 NJCAA Division 2 All-Region student-athletes and four NJCAA All-Academic Team awards.

 National Park College was established in 1973 and is located in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The College serves approximately 7,000 credit and non-credit students per year. NPC is a comprehensive two-year institution offering associate degrees and certificates as well as continuing education, community services and workforce training.

For more information on schedules, rosters and more, visit Nighthawks Softball online. Fans can also follow the Nighthawks on social media.