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Aron Potter enters her third season as
head coach of the Missouri Southern Softball program.
In her second season at the helm of the Lions, Potter led the team to its third
straight berth in the MIAA post season tournament. In 2007, the Lions either set
or tied two single-season records, including sacrifice hits in a game, and
doubles in a game, as well as the second most home runs in a game and the second
most sacrifice hits in a season. The Lions also finished second in the league in
pitching with a team ERA of 2.25.
In her first season with the Lions, Potter led a team that featured five
freshman starters to a 17-23 mark and
the team's 16th appearance in 17 seasons in the MIAA post season tournament.
Potter, who in 2005 led Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College to its best finish
in 11 years, took over a program at Southern that has been one of the dominant
forces in the MIAA.
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. I m
excited to be at a four-year institution with such high academic and athletic
goals for its student-athletes. I m also very excited at the chance to rebuild a
program and take it to a higher level.
Before joining the MSSU staff, Potter spent three years as head softball coach
at Coffeyville with 2005 marking her best season. The Red Ravens ended that year
31-25 overall 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.) 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.
Potter s CCC squads were also 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 went 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 2007 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.
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