THE FRONT ROW with JASON ELLIOTT: Babson eager to jump back into JUCO ranks

For Luke Babson, it’s a chance to stick with what he loves. 

What it means for the North Idaho College women’s soccer team, we’ll find out in the coming months. 

BABSON WAS named the new women’s soccer coach at NIC earlier this month, replacing Kellsi Parson, who stepped down after six seasons. 

Babson served as head coach at Heartland Community College in Norman, Ill., from 2024 to 2025, where he led both the men’s and women’s programs. The women’s team posted a 17-4-1 record and finished as NJCAA Division II national runner-up in 2025. Babson was named Region and District Coach of the Year honors, and the program produced four All-Americans.

Babson previously coached at Southwestern Oregon Community College in Coos Bay, Ore. 

“The opportunity to coach at the NJCAA level was really appealing to me,” Babson said. “I love working at the community college level. I think we can be successful and the program can take some big leaps forward.” 

NIC finished 5-9-3 last season and had 17 freshmen on their roster. 

“It’s been a pleasant surprise,” said Babson of the returning group. “Working with the current group, I think we can play at the next level. We still have some needs, but we’re working on signing those players at the moment.” 

Babson also coached at Western Oregon in Monmouth, where he scouted teams in the Scenic West Athletic Conference for recruiting purposes. 

“I’m aware of a lot of the other schools in the conference and seeing them at certain levels,” Babson said. “I know Salt Lake has a really good program.” 

Parson replaced Dan Hogan, who went 171-86-46 as women’s coach in 17 seasons, including winning the 2003 Northwest Athletic Conference championship. NIC returned to the NJCAA from the NWAC in 2024. 

“For this group, there’s a good history of success within the program,” Babson said. “The challenge now is finding success against some of the best teams in the nation. I think we’ve got some strengths and now we’ll see if we can elevate our recruiting and see if we can make a difference that way.” 

Babson and third-year NIC men’s soccer coach Brad Williams have also discussed following in the footsteps of the school’s softball team and moving some games off the grass field on campus to the turf field at Marimn Health Coeur Center in Worley if necessary. 

“It’s something we’re definitely looking at,” Babson said. “Brad and I were talking about how the field gets, and when you get that wear and tear from two programs playing on the same field. It can get pretty torn up, so it could be good to have some alternative options.” 

LAKELAND SOFTBALL coach Dwayne Curry wanted to approach Thursday’s state 5A opening round game against Blackfoot like any other game that his team has taken the field for this season. 

Sure, it might have been a little different, but not in the minds of his team. 

“Everything was 100% normal, and we did our best as a staff to keep it that way,” Curry said. “I just wanted them to stay in the mindset of this being the next game. It’s not state, it’s just the next game we get to play this year.” 

For Blackfoot, which traveled 513 miles, it might have been a little different. 

“With the travel, you’ve got to get the kids' energy back up,” Blackfoot coach Tammy Sorenson said. “Sitting in the hotel all the time, it’s kind of hard to find things for them to do to stay moving. We went and ate, but they’re also not used to eating that much stuff yet. But this is the kind of weather that we’ve been playing in all year, so we’re used to that. I guess it’s better than it being really hot.” 

At this point in the season, it’s just better to be playing, no matter where you’re at. 

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for The Press. He can be reached by telephone at 208-664-8176, Ext. 1206 or via email at [email protected]. Follow him on ‘X’, formerly Twitter @JECdAPress.  

    Babson