Everybody sets goals for the future, but few people actually achieve them.

Former NIU softball player Krista McPherson not only reached her goal of playing college softball, but she reached a goal she had strived for long before coming to NIU: becoming a police officer.

Before becoming an Illinois State Trooper, McPherson was one of the best players NIU softball had to offer, from her freshman year until she graduated in 2008.

In just her first season at NIU, McPherson started her reign as the commander of the infield, starting 40 games at shortstop. Over her four-year career, she played a total of 186 games, starting 181 at shortstop.

McPherson’s impressive player resume includes 46 career stolen bases, 133 hits and a career-high batting average of .330 during her junior season.

Deciding to become a police officer once her playing days were over was something that McPherson’s mother was not thrilled about at first, especially because of how young Krista was when she made up her mind.

“I told my mother at the age of five that I wanted to be a police officer,” McPherson said. “I don’t think she was thrilled hearing that from her baby girl. She actually told me I’d get shot and die, so that scared me out of it initially.”

Following through on a dream that most children gradually give up has been a great experience for McPherson. Not only does Krista acknowledge NIU’s softball program as a helpful tool in her quest, but so does former NIU softball head coach Donna Martin, who coached McPherson from 2005-07.

“Athletics is a great way to prepare for any public service,” Martin said. “You are exposed to discipline, fitness, goal setting, team work, compassion, pressure, etc., but it is up to the athlete to learn it and apply it. Krista learned it and applied it, and that prepared her to earn a position as a state police officer.”

Martin stated that coaching McPherson was not an easy task, but seeing the improvement Krista made both on and off the diamond was worth the work, and she is proud of all McPherson has accomplished.

Watching her growth as a player was one of the countless memories Martin has of McPherson. Krista thanks Martin for the opportunity to play at NIU and feels the experience she had with her team is irreplaceable.

What sticks out most to her about NIU is all of the memories she will always have.

“[The] biggest benefits [are] the NIU family I made, the friends and teammates I met, and meeting my college sweetheart Brett Kellam,” McPherson said. “I couldn’t have asked for better teammates and friends. I miss and love them all.”