Jeff Boardman enters his third year as the head softball coach at Purdue North Central.

Boardman has overseen a remarkable turnaround in just two years at the helm. He inherited the program late in 2005 with only 12 eligible players, including just five returners. After finishing 6-32 overall in 2006, the Panthers finished 21-17 in 2007, setting the single season wins record for PNC.

Furthermore, the Panthers finshed 10-8 in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference. The fourth place finish (of 10 teams) is the highest ever for PNC and completed the dramitic turnaround from 1-17 in 2005.

Prior to his arrival at PNC, Boardman served as the head coach at the Calumet College of St. Joseph, a fellow Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference member for two seasons.

While at Calumet, Boardman inherited a program of only seven players and doubled the roster after one season. In just one year's time, Boardman led the Crimson Wave program to a competitive level they had never experienced before.

Before entering the college ranks, Boardman had coached various levels of softball for 20 years, including many summer travel "A" teams with present PNC assistant coach Denny King.

Boardman, who resides in Wheeler with his wife of 35 years (Lynn) and has two grown daughters. Boardman and his youngest daughter, Jenn (22), an all-conference pitcher in high school, provide private lessons in both hitting and pitching. Boardman's older daughter, Amanda (27), was also an all-conference pitcher in high school.

While not coaching, Boardman's favorite hobby is golfing.

Jim Brocksmith
Assistant Coach

Jim Brocksmith begins his seventh year as an assistant coach at PNC after also helping found the Panther program with current assistant Denny King. Along with King, Brocksmith is the senior member of the PNC Athletic Department.

Brocksmith has long been involved in youth athletics and has coached for 18 years overall.  He was the junior varsity coach at Wheeler High School and the assistant varsity coach and helped lead them to three straight winning seasons, including a sectional championship appearance.  Brocksmith was also very active in beginning youth programs for the Wheeler area.