Thomas University

Danielle de Ruiter enters her first year as an Athletic Assistant Coach of the Night Hawks softball program after previously playing at Pensacola State for 2 years before transferring to North Alabama to play three more years of D1 Softball. 

De Ruiter has done a combination of playing and coaching softball for the past 12 years prior to joining the Night Hawks, appearing as a Junior Team Canada member in 2017 making it all the way to the Junior World Championships that season. 

The Canadian shortstop made 106 appearances at North Alabama including two home runs in her Junior season. Off the field, de Ruiter coached the Canada Futures developmental program, a Canadian travel ball recruiting team, and assisted in Team Canada tryouts for player development. 

A native of Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, de Ruiter received a Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies, a minor in Coaching and Officiating, and a Masters in Professional Studies with a concentration in Community Development from the University of North Alabama during her three year career at UNA. Currently, de Ruiter resides in Thomasville, Ga.