Dana Cassady This is Me

Education

 Web References

1. 1. Sports | PensacolaNewsJournal.com

   www.gulfcoastgateway.com/apps/ - [Cached]

   Published on: 5/12/2006   Last Visited: 5/12/2006

   PLANT CITY -- In the beginning, Navarre softball coach Dana Cassady informed her team of the end.
   
   As the Raiders gathered during the preseason, Cassady told the players she was going to retire from coaching, whenever this season concluded.
   
   "I didn't want them to see my job advertised, see it elsewhere or find out from somebody else," Cassady said. "I wanted to be up front with them. It was a little rocky for a few days with some of 'em, but since then we just really haven't talked about it."
   
   The realization, however, settled within seconds of Navarre's 4-1 loss Thursday night against Bartow in the Class 4A state championship game at Plant City Stadium.
   
   "When I started to talk to them, it got emotional," Cassady said. "It's a bittersweet moment."
   
   Earlier this week, Cassady celebrated her 41st birthday. She has coached eight seasons at Navarre, taking the program from its infancy to a pair of state tournament appearances. Aside from Tate (2001), Navarre is the only school from the Pensacola Bay Area to play for a state softball title.
   
   "I think we've shown we can play," Cassady said.
   
   Her veteran players, who readily speak of Cassady's disciplined style and hard-driving approach, tried to forget the added emotional aspect of Thursday's game.
   ...
   Cassady is moving on with her life. She is going to attend Barry University in St. Petersburg, pursuing a medical degree in hopes of becoming an orthopedic specialist.
   
   "My degree is in sports medicine, and medicine has always been first love for me," Cassady said.

2. 2. Sports | PensacolaNewsJournal.com

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   Published on: 4/29/2006   Last Visited: 4/29/2006

   "It's nice when everyone pulls their weight and comes through," Navarre coach Dana Cassady said in regards to the production from the bottom of Navarre's order.

3. 3. Sports | PensacolaNewsJournal.com

   www.gulfcoastgateway.com/apps/ - [Cached]

   Published on: 4/27/2006   Last Visited: 4/27/2006

   Navarre softball coach Dana Cassady already was fighting more weather Wednesday. She didn't need to fall under the weather, fighting off a sinus infection.
   
   One thing's for sure: Cassady will be well-rested when her host Raiders (20-8) resume their Region 1-4A quarterfinal against Tallahassee Godby (19-8) today, up 2-0 with two outs in the bottom of the first inning.
   
   "It's been an emotional roller coaster," Cassady said.
   ...
   "The Sante Fe coach called me (Wednesday), looking for hotel rooms in Navarre," Cassady said.
   ...
   You don't have to tell Cassady.
   
   Her girls were poised for something big Tuesday.
   ...
   "It's always a challenge not to sit on a couple runs," Cassady said.