About the Program
Last year, 2016-17:
We had another year of success both on and off the field.
In the classroom, we finished with a Team GPA of 3.50, which was highest team finish in the Tenure of Head Coach Kristin Janes. Each year she has been at FSCC, The Lady Hounds have finished with above a 3.25 overall team GPA In every season since the arrival of Coach Janes.
On the field we finished with a record of 23-233, the second most wins in program history. Many streaks were also snapped including an 11 year losing streak to Labette, and the first postseason victory since 2009. FSCC had 6 players named to the all-district team (Aimee Wimp, Lauren Scott, Haley Bledsoe, Kylie Pfeiffer, Taylor Brecheisen, and Aubrey Smith. Sophomores Chelsea Snyder and Kaylan Morgan each committed to play at the next level with division 3 Webster University.
Below is a summary of the last 5 years and each team’s achievements on the field, in the classroom, and what level of 4-year institution the sophomores signed:
2015-16
Record: 19-34
Team GPA: 3.44 (5th in the conference)
Exemplary Academic Achievement Awards (formerly known as Academic All-American): 3
KJCCC All-Academic Team: 13
NFCA All Americans: 11
Sophomore Signees: Amber Sutton: Missouri Valley University (NAIA)
2014-15
Record: 22-28
Team GPA: 3.37 (3rd in the conference)
Exemplary Academic Achievement Awards (formerly known as Academic All-American): 2
KJCCC All-Academic Team: 15
NFCA All Americans: 8
Sophomore Signees: Christa Merriman University of Saint Mary (NAIA),
Alex Yoeman: McPherson University (NAIA)
2013-14
Record: 8-45
Team GPA: 3.31 (5th in the conference)
Exemplary Academic Achievement Awards (formerly known as Academic All-American): 3
KJCCC All-Academic Team: 7
NFCA All Americans: 5
Sophomore Signees: Lizzie Aller: Lincoln University (NCAA Division 2)
2012-13
Record: 2-36 (First Year for Coach Janes, coming off an 0-47 season year prior.)
Team GPA: 3.31 (5th in the conference)
Exemplary Academic Achievement Awards (formerly known as Academic All-American): 1
KJCCC All-Academic Team: 4
NFCA All Americans: 5
Sophomore Signees: Kelli Cullor: Hardin Simmons University (NCAA Division 3)
Hailey Foster: Hardin Simmons University (NCAA Division 3)
Conference & Schedule: We are part of the nationally acclaimed, Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC). The conference is divided into two divisions: division one and division two. FSCC softball is in the division two division. The Jayhawk Conference is one the elite Junior College conferences in the nation. Our conference is big enough to have two births to the division two softball world-series. Our conference schedule consists of one doubleheader against each of the other 12 opponents. Non-conference opponents are scheduled against team’s close to FSCC with the exception of an annual team trip to Texas. Playoff format is a best 2 of 3 series hosted by seeds 2-7 with the number 1 seed getting a bye. Winners of the series advance to the super regional tournament in Topeka.
Our scholarship situation: We are allotted 24 in-state scholarships, which we can give to an out-of-state player, once he establishes Kansas residency in the first 6 months. (We can explain this further, when needed). We are not afforded school funded out-of-state scholarships and have to fundraise for all our out-of-state scholarships.
Recruiting: When we decide to recruit a player, we see the potential in that player to make an immediate impact. Nothing is promised except that we will leave no stone unturned to help each individual reach his maximum potential from his God given capabilities to become the best person, student, and player on a daily basis.
Playing time is earned - not promised. Due to our small roster size, we cannot make mistakes in recruiting, so if a player decides to be a part of this program, we need him to be productive on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. This is a huge advantage for those who decide to play for us. With our limited scholarship situation being what it is, we have to build depth on our team by recruiting and signing players who are athletic, versatile, and can play multiple positions – not by signing 50-60 players. We develop secondary positions to increase versatility of each player, because in the long run, versatility provides more NCAA D-I and other 4-year options, and options at the 4-year level provide opportunity and opportunity is what Junior College is about.
Our roster size will range from 20-24 players. Many Junior College’s and 4-year schools have 50-70 players and cut throughout the fall semester, all the way to Christmas break. We do not believe in treating players like pieces of meat and do not run our program this way. We are selective and choose who we want as a part of our program and invest in those players who decide to be a part of our program. We do not have do cuts at the semester break or any other time of the year.
Betty Ruth Willard Softball Field
Our field is a natural grass playing surface with grass baselines between home to first and third to home. Since Coach Janes arrived, the facility has seen improvements including a new tarp, multiple additions of dirt and field conditioner, a new outfield fence, and additions of grass seed to improve the outfield surface. Our dimensions are 200 all the way around the field, which can play big or small depending on the blustery Kansas wind.
Locker Room
We are one of the few KJCCC conference schools with a locker room located directly next to our field. Each player receives a locker where they can store all of their clothes and gear at the softball facility.
Weight Room
Our weight room is located on campus which we use from the first day of class until the last day of class. (We can explain our weights/conditioning program in further detail on campus visits)
On campus: We require all of our players to live on campus, in the dorms. It is an all softball section of the dorm with our assistant softball coach living with them as a resistant assistant, overseeing the conduct of all student athletes in the dorm. Our dorm rooms are quad-style apartments, with a bathroom between 2 suites. Four players share a bathroom. Softball players live with softball players only. We have daily office check-ins at the softball office. This is possible due to the small campus that we have. It’s a great advantage because it allows our coaches to see our players at least once every day away from the softball field and get to know them on a personal level which will help on the professional level.
Academics: The average class size on campus is 14-18 students (mostly athletes). Classroom sizes are great for one on one attention…meaning an excellent chance to achieve a great education. Class attendance is mandatory with numerous grade checks occurring throughout each semester to help keep the coaching staff informed of each player’s academic progress. Study Hall is also required for all softball players.