Heather Branum has been named Head Coach of the Cavalier Softball team. Heather joined the staff of Montreat College in January 2012 as the Assistant Softball Coach. 

Coach Branum attended the University of the Cumberlands (then known as Cumberland College) in Williamsburg, Kentucky. Here she played collegiate softball and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in December 2004, with certification areas in Middle School Mathematics (grades 5-9) and K-12 Special Education. Following completion of her undergraduate degree, she was a substitute teacher in the Kentucky school system and then taught mathematics to special needs students grades 9-12 and coached softball in the high school system for three years in Tennessee. 

In January 2010, Coach Branum returned to the University of the Cumberlands to pursue a Master of Arts in Education degree. She completed her Master's in Instructional Leadership/Principal Certification All Grades in December 2011. While back at the Cumberlands, she served as the Assistant Coach for the Patriots softball team for two seasons. In addition to her high school and collegiate coaching experience, Coach Branum has also coached competitive travel softball teams for the past three years during the summer and fall.

When asked about her new position as head coach, Coach Branum said "I couldn't be more excited about the upcoming year.  We have some very good recruits coming in this year, and when you combine those athletes with our returning players, I'm looking forward to what this team can accomplish. I plan on focusing on the success of our student-athletes. I want them not only to succeed on the field, but also in the classroom and in the community.   I have felt at home here in Black Mountain since I first arrived in January, and I'm very excited about the opportunity to be the Cavalier head coach."