Peninsula College head softball coach Heather Sankey announced her resignation June 6, saying she plans to further her education.

School athletic department officials said they plan to search for a new head coach immediately.

Sankey came to Peninsula in 2006 from an assistant coaching position at St. Martin’s, taking over for former coach Jim Cheney. The Pirates immediately enjoyed success, racking up a 27-19 record and a berth in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges softball tournament.

Last spring, however, the Pirates’ ship sank to a 5-31 conference record and 7-36 overall mark, second to last in the NWAACC North.

In a letter to the campus community, Sankey said she planned to pursue a master’s degree in exercise science and athletic leadership.

“I have been offered a graduate position where I am able to coach softball and continue my education at the next level,” Sankey wrote. “I am very grateful for the opportunity that I was given here at Peninsula College and for the relationships that I have built with so many of the wonderful people who call P.C. home.”

Pirate athletic director Rick Ross said he is sad to see Sankey leave.

“She is a great young lady with a world of potential,” Ross said. “She did a nice job for us, she learned a lot along the way and I’m convinced she’s got a great career ahead of her, both as a softball coach and a higher education professional.”

Coach Sankey is the fourth head coach in eight years of softball at Peninsula. and athletic leadership.

“I have been offered a graduate position where I am able to coach softball and continue my education at the next level,” Sankey wrote. “I am very grateful for the opportunity that I was given here at Peninsula College and for the relationships that I have built with so many of the wonderful people who call P.C. home.”

Pirate athletic director Rick Ross said he is sad to see Sankey leave.

“She is a great young lady with a world of potential,” Ross said. “She did a nice job for us, she learned a lot along the way and I’m convinced she’s got a great career ahead of her, both as a softball coach and a higher education professional.”

Coach Sankey is the fourth head coach in eight years of softball at Peninsula.