Parkway softball loses veteran coach but hires quickly to replace her
Hired at the height of the Covid pandemic, Parkway softball coach Eva Burley has left her position to return to Texas to care for her father, who has been diagnosed with ALS.
Burley, who played collegiately at Texas Tech, has been replaced with Kelsey Gallman, according to Parkway athletic director Coy Brotherton.
The Lady Panthers were 30-43 under Burley, including 11-13 this past season, with two playoff appearances.
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“Coaching and teaching at Parkway has been a blessing for me and my family,” Burley told the Times. “The administrative team and my co-workers are truly some of the best I have worked with over my 20-year career. I cannot thank coach (Jeremiah) Williams and the rest of Bossier Parish enough for giving me the opportunity to work in one of the best school districts in the state of Louisiana.”
Burley played middle infield and outfield for Texas Tech from 1998-2002, setting a program record for most consecutive (228) games played. From March 1999 until June 2002, Burley did not miss a contest. She has moved around the country with her husband’s Air Force commitments.
She came to Parkway from Airline, where she was the track coach. Burley previously coached in Texas for 15 years and in Rapid City, South Dakota, when her husband was stationed there.
Jimmy Watson covers Shreveport-Bossier area sports. Email him at jwatson@shreveporttimes.com and follow him on Twitter @JimmyWatson6.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Here's why Eva Burley has left the Parkway softball program
