Sarah French was a two-sport standout while a student-athlete at Bridgewater College, earning all-conference recognition in both volleyball and softball.
French was a two-time All-ODAC first team selection in volleyball, receiving the honor during her junior and senior seasons. As a junior, French helped lead the Eagles to the ODAC Championship and the NCAA Division III national tournament. She was named the ODAC Tournament Most Valuable Player during the 2000 title run.
French finished her playing career with 965 kills and 1,232 digs, ranking second all-time at Bridgewater in both categories when she graduated. She still ranks in the Top 10 in the Eagles career record book, where she is currently fifth all-time in digs and 10th all-time in kills. She served as a team captain during her final three years in the program,
French also excelled on the softball diamond. She played three seasons for the Eagles and earned first-team All-ODAC honors during her freshman and sophomore seasons. As a freshman, French set new BC single-season records for hits, runs, triples, total bases and runs batted in. In addition to her All-ODAC honor, French was named to the All-State first team and the All-Atlantic Region second team.
A stellar defensive shortstop, French turned in another strong season as a sophomore with a .381 batting average and was named to the All-Atlantic Region first team.
French still ranks No. 1 in career triples at Bridgewater with 18 and holds the Bridgewater and ODAC single-season record for triples with 13 during the 1999 season.
French also excelled in the classroom where she was a two-time National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) academic All-American and an All-ODAC Academic selection..
Following graduation, French has taught in the Spotsylvania County Public School system for 15 years. French has coached several different sports at the middle school and high school levels and is currently the athletics director and a teacher at her school. She also is a member of the Concussion Management Team for her school division. French also served as an assistant volleyball coach at the University of Mary Washington from 2007-12. She earned her master’s degree in sport psychology from Capella University.
In recognition of her outstanding career while a student-athlete, Sarah French is worthy of induction into the Bridgewater College Athletics Hall of Fame.
