Lions name Aron Potter new softball coach

Aron Potter, who in 2005 led Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College to its best finish since 1994, has been named head softball coach at Missouri Southern State University, athletics director Sallie Beard announced today.

“We’re very excited and pleased to have Aron Potter lead our softball program,” Beard said. “She will bring a lot of enthusiasm to the program. Aron impressed the search committee with her organization and dedication to the game as it fits into the overall mission of the University.”

Potter has spent the last three years as head softball coach at Coffeyville with 2005 marking her best season. The Red Ravens finished 31-25 overall this past season and collected their best finish since 1994. Coffeyville, logging a 12-6 conference record in 2005 for third place in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC), also finished as NJCAA Region VI runner-up to eventual national tournament qualifier Cowley County (Kan.) this past season.

In all, Coffeyville posted a 79-83 record under the watch of Potter, the 2003 Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference Eastern Division Coach of the Year. The Red Ravens were 30-24 in the KJCCC during Potter’s head coaching stint.

“I just feel that I’m very blessed with the opportunity to come to Southern and coach at a school with such a great reputation and tradition,” said Potter, who becomes the sixth head coach in MSSU softball history.

“I’m excited to be at a four-year institution with such high academic and athletic goals for its student-athletes,” she said. “I’m also very excited at the chance to rebuild a program and take it to a higher level.”

Potter’s CCC squads have also been recognized for their work in the classroom. In 2004, the Red Ravens finished second in all-academic team balloting in both the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) and NJCAA. Coffeyville was fourth in the NFCA academic race in 2003.

Potter came to Coffeyville after earning her master’s degree in exercise science, physical education and health from Central Missouri State University in 2002. She served as a graduate assistant coach with the CMSU softball and women’s volleyball teams and worked as an elementary physical education teacher in the Warrensburg School District.

A 1998 graduate of Culver-Stockton College, in Canton, Mo., Potter was a three-time All-Heart of America Athletic Conference performer and a two-time All-Midwest Region selection. A shortstop, Potter finished her career with the Wildcats holding seven single season and career records. The 1996 HAAC Player of the Year, she was a 2004 inductee into the Culver Stockton Hall of Fame.

While at C-SC, Potter, a native of Vandalia, Mo., was student assistant intramural director from 1993-96 and also worked as an assistant women’s basketball coach in 1997-98 with the Wildcats.

Prior to her stint in Warrensburg, Potter was head softball coach and recruiter for USA Athletes International. She earned a gold medal with the team as a player and also coached the junior squad to gold.

After graduation from C-SC, Potter worked as head volleyball, basketball and track coach at Montgomery County (Mo.) High School in 1999-2000.

Potter replaces Jennifer Jimerson, who resigned in May after three years as Missouri Southern’s head coach.

Missouri Southern has fielded a collegiate softball team for 31 seasons and has won more than 64 percent of its games, posting a record of 870-486.


	June 14, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Lions name Aron Potter new softball coach New softball mentor joins Lions from Coffeyville Community College Aron Potter, who in 2005 led Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College to its best finish since 1994, has been named head softball coach at Missouri Southern State University, athletics director Sallie Beard announced today. “We’re very excited and pleased to have Aron Potter lead our softball program,” Beard said. “She will bring a lot of enthusiasm to the program. Aron impressed the search committee with her organization and dedication to the game as it fits into the overall mission of the University.” Potter has spent the last three years as head softball coach at Coffeyville with 2005 marking her best season. The Red Ravens finished 31-25 overall this past season and collected their best finish since 1994. Coffeyville, logging a 12-6 conference record in 2005 for third place in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC), also finished as NJCAA Region VI runner-up to eventual national tournament qualifier Cowley County (Kan.) this past season. In all, Coffeyville posted a 79-83 record under the watch of Potter, the 2003 Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference Eastern Division Coach of the Year. The Red Ravens were 30-24 in the KJCCC during Potter’s head coaching stint. “I just feel that I’m very blessed with the opportunity to come to Southern and coach at a school with such a great reputation and tradition,” said Potter, who becomes the sixth head coach in MSSU softball history. “I’m excited to be at a four-year institution with such high academic and athletic goals for its student-athletes,” she said. “I’m also very excited at the chance to rebuild a program and take it to a higher level.” Potter’s CCC squads have also been recognized for their work in the classroom. In 2004, the Red Ravens finished second in all-academic team balloting in both the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) and NJCAA. Coffeyville was fourth in the NFCA academic race in 2003. Potter came to Coffeyville after earning her master’s degree in exercise science, physical education and health from Central Missouri State University in 2002. She served as a graduate assistant coach with the CMSU softball and women’s volleyball teams and worked as an elementary physical education teacher in the Warrensburg School District. A 1998 graduate of Culver-Stockton College, in Canton, Mo., Potter was a three-time All-Heart of America Athletic Conference performer and a two-time All-Midwest Region selection. A shortstop, Potter finished her career with the Wildcats holding seven single season and career records. The 1996 HAAC Player of the Year, she was a 2004 inductee into the Culver Stockton Hall of Fame. While at C-SC, Potter, a native of Vandalia, Mo., was student assistant intramural director from 1993-96 and also worked as an assistant women’s basketball coach in 1997-98 with the Wildcats. Prior to her stint in Warrensburg, Potter was head softball coach and recruiter for USA Athletes International. She earned a gold medal with the team as a player and also coached the junior squad to gold. After graduation from C-SC, Potter worked as head volleyball, basketball and track coach at Montgomery County (Mo.) High School in 1999-2000. Potter replaces Jennifer Jimerson, who resigned in May after three years as Missouri Southern’s head coach. Missouri Southern has fielded a collegiate softball team for 31 seasons and has won more than 64 percent of its games, posting a record of 870-486.