Lions hire David Wright as assistant softball coach

New Missouri Southern State University head softball coach Aron Potter announced today the completion of her coaching staff. David Wright, with 31 years experience as a teacher, coach and administrator, will join the Lions as assistant softball coach in 2005-06.

Wright has been employed for the last two years as an adjunct faculty member, teaching in the physical education department, at Southwest Baptist University. He also assisted SBU first-year head coach Cindy Snead in 2005 as part-time assistant softball coach.

Prior to his stint at Southwest Baptist, Wright was in public education for 29 years as a teacher, coach, athletic director, principal and superintendent at six different school districts.

“Coach Wright is a teacher and that’s big in the coaching world,” Potter said. “His background as an administrator, coach and teacher really makes our staff complete both athletically and academically.”

Wright earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Central Missouri State University in 1972. He holds a master’s degree in secondary administration from Southwest Missouri State University and a specialist degree in secondary administration from CMSU.

Wright began his education career as a teacher and coach in the Miami School District in Amoret, Mo. He then worked 14 more years as a teacher, coach and athletic director in Missouri’s Wheatland, Weaubleau and Maries County school districts. Wright spent 10 years as a principal in the Benton County (Mo.) School District before working as superintendent for one year in the Chadwick (Mo.) School District and for three years at Weaubleau.

Wright’s coaching experience included head coach duties for softball and girls basketball, among many other sports. His softball teams posted winning records in 10 of his 11 seasons, and collected eight conference titles, five district crowns and one third-place state finish. Wright’s basketball teams had nine winning campaigns, four conference championships and five appearances in the district title game. He was twice named a conference basketball coach of the year.

Wright’s daughter, Sharon (Wright) Hackett, was a two-time Academic All-America softball player during her MSSU playing career (1992-94). Sharon’s sister-in-law is Lorinda Hackett, a certification officer in teacher education at Missouri Southern.

Potter said coach Wright’s ties to MSSU were also of interest.

“His dedication to Southern is just tremendous. He bleeds green and gold, and that’s something that appealed to me a great deal,” Potter said.

Potter was named head softball coach in June, replacing Jennifer Jimerson who resigned in May after three years as Missouri Southern’s head coach. Potter came to the Lions after three years at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College.

MSSU 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.


	July 28, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Lions hire David Wright as assistant softball coach Longtime coach, administrator and teacher joins MSSU staff New Missouri Southern State University head softball coach Aron Potter announced today the completion of her coaching staff. David Wright, with 31 years experience as a teacher, coach and administrator, will join the Lions as assistant softball coach in 2005-06. Wright has been employed for the last two years as an adjunct faculty member, teaching in the physical education department, at Southwest Baptist University. He also assisted SBU first-year head coach Cindy Snead in 2005 as part-time assistant softball coach. Prior to his stint at Southwest Baptist, Wright was in public education for 29 years as a teacher, coach, athletic director, principal and superintendent at six different school districts. “Coach Wright is a teacher and that’s big in the coaching world,” Potter said. “His background as an administrator, coach and teacher really makes our staff complete both athletically and academically.” Wright earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Central Missouri State University in 1972. He holds a master’s degree in secondary administration from Southwest Missouri State University and a specialist degree in secondary administration from CMSU. Wright began his education career as a teacher and coach in the Miami School District in Amoret, Mo. He then worked 14 more years as a teacher, coach and athletic director in Missouri’s Wheatland, Weaubleau and Maries County school districts. Wright spent 10 years as a principal in the Benton County (Mo.) School District before working as superintendent for one year in the Chadwick (Mo.) School District and for three years at Weaubleau. Wright’s coaching experience included head coach duties for softball and girls basketball, among many other sports. His softball teams posted winning records in 10 of his 11 seasons, and collected eight conference titles, five district crowns and one third-place state finish. Wright’s basketball teams had nine winning campaigns, four conference championships and five appearances in the district title game. He was twice named a conference basketball coach of the year. Wright’s daughter, Sharon (Wright) Hackett, was a two-time Academic All-America softball player during her MSSU playing career (1992-94). Sharon’s sister-in-law is Lorinda Hackett, a certification officer in teacher education at Missouri Southern. Potter said coach Wright’s ties to MSSU were also of interest. “His dedication to Southern is just tremendous. He bleeds green and gold, and that’s something that appealed to me a great deal,” Potter said. Potter was named head softball coach in June, replacing Jennifer Jimerson who resigned in May after three years as Missouri Southern’s head coach. Potter came to the Lions after three years at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College. MSSU 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.