Cowgirl Softball Great Eyes Coaching Career

By any measure, Chyenne Factor has played an integral role in Oklahoma State’s rise in status to the level of one of college softball’s elite programs. The Yukon High School graduate earned All-Big 12 Freshman honors in 2019, doing her part to boost the Cowgirls to their first WCWS appearance since 2011. 

After the postponement of the 2020 season due to the COVID pandemic, Factor’s steady offensive contributions and defensive prowess in center field would help pave the way for three more World Series appearances. She would earn numerous honors in her four seasons as a Cowgirl, including second team All-Big 12 honors in each of her last three seasons on the diamond. Factor earned several College Sports Communicators (CSC) and Big 12 academic honors while earning her bachelor’s degree in applied exercise science.

Factor’s career numbers are impressive. She played in 262 games and contributed 223 hits and a .334 batting average in four-plus seasons as a Cowgirl. Factor was just as solid defensively, making numerous memorable grabs as a center fielder (including stealing a home run against Washington in the 2019 WCWS, look it up on YouTube) and finishing with a .977 fielding percentage.

Factor made an impact on the program and her teammates far beyond anything that can be measured by statistics. Cowgirl pitching ace Lexi Kifoyl says Factor was an ideal teammate who inspired her teammates through her actions on and off the field of play.  

“Playing alongside Chy was an amazing experience and great example of how someone can be so relaxed but competitive at the same time. The calm but confident energy she brought to the field was contagious and set a great example of how to be an amazing teammate,” said Kifoyl. 

OSU head coach Kenny Gajewski said that while he was surprised to hear that Factor was interested in becoming a coach, he has no doubt that his former player has the work ethic and mentality to succeed in the profession. 

“I was a little bit shocked when Chy came to me and said she wanted to coach, but it was one of the coolest things I’ve heard out of her,” Gajewski said. 

“She was pretty set on being involved in medical sales, and with this year, working as a GA, it has opened a new light for her that makes me very happy. She is as talented a young coach as they come, her work ethic, quick thinking and her work with the student-athletes is as good as they come. We want to keep her around here for the longest that I can.” 

Factor, who recently graduated with her master’s degree in health administration, recently took some time to update us on the latest developments in her life. Factor spoke on topics ranging from her career goal of becoming a coach to the importance of honoring her Seminole heritage. 

What have you been up to and how are you making the adjustment to not playing college softball? 

I have been a graduate assistant with the Oklahoma State softball team since I finished my playing career last June while I just finished my master’s degree last week. The adjustment has been easy because I am still around the game every day, more on the coaching side, which has been cool and allowed me to learn and see the game from a different perspective. 

What does it feel like experiencing NCAA Regionals as a GA and not a player? What would it mean to you to see the team achieve the ultimate WCWS goal? 

Selection Sunday is always exciting, and seeing this team earn a 5 seed was special. Being able to play at home during the post season is always fun so I am excited to watch the girls go out and compete like they have all year. This place and program mean everything to me so for this team to win the WCWS would be a dream come true. 

How do you feel about the state of Native American representation in college softball? What do you feel about representing your heritage as a highly visible college softball personality? 

Being Native American and playing collegiate softball at a very high level was always important to me. I never took it for granted, because I knew I was representing something way bigger than myself and inspiring young kids especially in Oklahoma where there is much history of Native American heritage. Just showing them if they dream big and work hard, they can achieve anything they want just like I was able to.  

How has your family’s support played a role in your success? 

My family are the most important people in my life. Their love and support have made me, me. They were my team before I was ever on an actual sports team. Being the youngest of 4, 2 older brothers and 1 older sister, I was able to learn how to compete and be tough from a very young age. They are the reason I am where I am today, they have always believed in me and pushed me in whatever I have wanted to do up to this point in my life. I love them and am forever grateful for them.  

What are your plans for the future? 

My plan is to be a college coach somewhere. I want to make an impact on athletes’ lives like how my coaches have made an impact on me.