Tanner Bullard joined the Converse University softball staff in August 2023 in preparation of the 2024 softball season. He enters his second season with the Valkyries for the 2025 campaign. Bullard joined the Converse coaching staff following four years with fellow Conference Carolinas member UNC Pembroke where he spent two years as a student assistant and two years as a graduate assistant.
During he his first season with the Valkyries, Bullard helped head coach Jackie Huff lead the team to the most wins in a single season in program history. The Valkyries broke no less than 58 other records in Bullard's first season with the program including: team runs in a game (18, twice), team hits in a season (416), team batting average (.299), team home runs in a season (25), individual RBIs in a season (Sydney Watson, 50), team stolen bases in a game (11, Feb. 16 against Shaw), individual and team strikeouts in a season (218 by Riley Lingerfelt and 311) and individual strikeouts in a game (Lingerfelt, 18 Feb. 26 against Allen).
Bullard also helped coach Riley Lingerfelt to the first no-hitter and perfect game in program history on Feb. 16, 2024 against Shaw. Following that week, Lingerfelt earned Conference Carolinas and NFCA National Pitcher of the Week honors, becoming the second player Bullard coached to that recognition from the conference the first to receive that national recognition. He was also there lending his guidance on Feb. 26 when she tossed the second no-hitter in program history against Allen. With Bullard's assistance, the Valkyries had their second-ever all-conference selection, Sydney Watson, who earned second team honors as a utility player
A native of Whitville, North Carolina, Bullard joined the staff at UNC Pembroke following his graduation from Southeastern Community College. While at SCC, he served as the president of the Student Government Association and sat on the SCC Board of Trustees for one year. He also got his start in college softball coaching at SCC as a volunteer assistant coach.
Athletes under Bullard's leadership have made the following accomplishments:
1 - 2024 Conference Carolinas Second Team All Conference, Utility
1 - 2024 Conference Carolinas Pitcher of the Week
1 - 2024 NFCA/Wilson Pitcher of the Week
100+ career stolen bases
1- 2021 NFCA 1st Team All American
2- NFCA and D2CCA/Daktronics 1st Team All Region
1- 2021 PBC Player of the Week
2- 2021 PBC Pitcher of the Week
2- 2021 PBC 1st Team All Conference
1- 2021 PBC 2nd Team All Conference
1- 2021 PBC Co-Player of the Year
1- 2021 PBC All Tournament Team
1- 2021 NFCA Division 2 National Player of the year Top 25 Finalist
3- 2022 Conference Carolinas 2nd Team All Conference
1- 2022 and 2023 Conference Carolinas All Tournament Team
1- 2022 Conference Carolinas Pitcher of the Week
1- 2022 Conference Carolinas Softball Freshman of the Month
1- 2023 Conference Carolinas 2nd Team All Conference
1- 2023 Conference Carolinas All Defensive Team
2- 2023 Conference Carolinas Player of the Week
31 with Multiple Academic Awards Conference and NationallyÂ
