Southern Arkansas University Athletics

No other female athlete in the history of Southern Arkansas Athletics brought more notoriety to the department than Waxahachie, Texas native Brooke Goad. 

The most decorated female athlete in the history of the Muleriders, Goad was a key catalyst for Mulerider Softball's rise to national prominence as her illustrious career in Magnolia stands as one of the best ever in all of collegiate softball. 

The Texan showcased a plate prowess unmatched at the NCAA Division II level and arguably in the history of NCAA Softball. She finished her celebrated Mulerider career as the Division II career leader in home runs (90) and walks (218) as well as the single season Division II record holder in those categories as well (32 HR, 91 BB; 2018).

Never a stranger to adversity, Goad's impressive career numbers did not come without hardship. Battling back from multiple knee injuries, Goad's final season in Magnolia was nothing short of remarkable. 

That year, which saw the Muleriders earn a trip to their second World Series appearance in three seasons and one that saw Goad tabbed as a consensus first team All-America honoree, she was responsible for setting nine single-season program hitting records, which included slugging percentage, on-base percentage, games played, runs scored, RBI, home runs, total bases, walks, and intentional walks; an output that helped her finish her career as the sole owner of nine career program hitting records, all of which she still remains in sole possession of.

In all, Goad finished her five seasons, which included 238 games, as a Mulerider with a .365 career average as a result of 245 career hits. Of those base knocks, 143 went for extra bases as she added 51 doubles to her absurd HR total to slug .849 for her career. She scored 262 runs and recorded 213 RBI. Goad posted an on-base percentage of .534 behind 218 free passes and 29 hit-by-pitch. 

A multiple time All-America, all-region and all-conference honoree, Goad, who appeared in Sports Illustrated's "Faces in the Crowd" in May 2018, was named to the GAC's All-Decade Team in January of 2020.

Following her playing career, Goad served as an assistant coach for the Mulerider Softball program for four seasons. She helped lead SAU to 134 wins, three GAC regular season championships and three NCAA regional tournament appearances.