East Texas A&M Lions softball

Last updated
East Texas A&M Lions softball
Softball current event.svg 2024 Texas A&M–Commerce Lions softball team
Texas A&M-Commerce Lions wordmark.svg
Founded2015
University East Texas A&M University
Head coach Brittany Miller (2nd season)
Conference Southland
Location Commerce, TX
Home stadium John Cain Family Softball Complex (Capacity: 800)
Nickname Lions
ColorsBlue and gold [1]
   
NCAA Tournament appearances
2016*, 2018*, 2019*, 2021*, 2022*
Conference Tournament championships
2022**at Division II level
For information on all East Texas A&M sports, see East Texas A&M Lions

The East Texas A&M Lions softball team is the intercollegiate softball program representing East Texas A&M University. The school competes in the Southland Conference in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). For their first eight years of existence, they competed in the Lone Star Conference (LSC) in Division II. The East Texas A&M softball team plays its home games at John Cain Family Softball Complex on the university campus in Commerce, Texas. The team is currently coached by Brittany Miller.

Contents

History

The 2015 A&M-Commerce Lions softball team in action against St. Edward's University Athletics-SFTB vs St Eds-5308 (16243223878).jpg
The 2015 A&M–Commerce Lions softball team in action against St. Edward's University

Softball has been a varsity sport at East Texas A&M since the 2015 season. [2] The program was first announced in May 2013, making it both the seventh women's sport to be offered by the university and making East Texas A&M (then known as A&M–Commerce) the last school in the LSC to sponsor softball. [3] According to then-athletic director Ryan Ivey, the university's decision to add softball was due to its rising popularity and the growing talent pool of players in Northeast Texas, as well as to help A&M–Commerce meet Title IX requirements. [4]

From 2015 to 2021, the team was coached by Richie Bruister, previously the head softball coach at Henderson State University and Texas Woman's University. [5] [6] Bruister compiled a record of 183–97 (.654), four LSC Championship appearances, and three NCAA tournament appearances in five years with TWU; he also won both the LSC and National Fastpitch Coaches Association Coach of the Year awards in 2013. [6]

In its inaugural 2015 season, the Lions achieved an overall record of 29–24 (.547), [7] finishing sixth in the regular-season LSC standings [8] and reaching the quarterfinals of the conference tournament before being eliminated. [9] Other achievements during the program's first season included Tyler Oppenheim's recognition as an LSC Player of the Week and the team's average GPA of 3.536, the highest in the conference. [4] Also in 2015, the A&M–Commerce softball team hosted the inaugural Lion Classic, a four-team tournament that included Northeastern State University, Southern Nazarene University, and Tarleton State University. [10]

After seven seasons, Bruister left A&M-Commerce, having compiled an overall record of 231-114. His associate head coach, Gay McNutt, was subsequently promoted to interim head coach. In their final season in the Lone Star Conference before moving up to Division I, McNutt guided the Lions to their first and only Lone Star Conference Tournament victory [11] before eventually falling in the Regional Tournament against the Texas A&M-Kingsville Javelinas. [12]

Following the season, McNutt resigned to take over the head coaching position at Texas Woman's University on June 9, 2022. [13] On June 24, 2022, Brittany Miller was hired as the third head coach in program history. [14]

On August 3, 2022, Miller added three-time Olympic gold medalist Crystl Bustos to the coaching staff as an assistant coach. [15]

In the Lions' first Division I season, they endured their first overall losing season in program history, finishing 9-39 overall and 5-19 in conference play. This would be their first time having a losing season in conference play since their inaugural season in 2015. [16]

During Miller's second season, the Lions once again finished at the bottom of the Southland Conference standings, going 2-22 in conference play and 9-45 overall, marking the first time in program history to have consecutive losing seasons. [17]

All-time record

YearHead CoachOverallPct.Conf.Pct.PlaceTourn.Postseason
2015Richie Bruister29–24.54712–14.4626thFirst Round–
201637–19.66118–14.5633rdFirst RoundRegional Tournament
201734–20.63016–14.5336thFirst Round–
201842–12.77823–7.7674thSemifinalsRegional Champions
201940–14.74123–7.7672ndSemifinalsRegional Runner-Up
202016–7.6965–3.625T4th––
202133–18.64721–9.7004thFirst RoundRegional Runner-Up
2022Gay McNutt43–15.74122–8.733T4thChampionsRegional Tournament
2023 Brittany Miller9–39.1885–19.3579th——
2024 9–45.1672–22.0839th——

Year-by-year results through the end of the 2024 season [6] [7] [9]

Stadium

John Cain Family Softball Complex
West Texas A&M vs. Texas A&M-Commerce softball 2016 01.jpg
East Texas A&M Lions softball
LocationOn Hubbell Dr
Commerce, Texas
Coordinates 33°14′22.3″N95°54′57.3″W / 33.239528°N 95.915917°W / 33.239528; -95.915917
Owner Texas A&M University–Commerce
Operator Texas A&M University–Commerce
Capacity 800 (not including berm seating)
Field sizeLeft Field: 190 ft
Center Field: 220 ft
Right Field: 190 ft
SurfaceTurf
ScoreboardElectronic
Construction
Built2014–15
OpenedFebruary 1, 2015
Tenants
Texas A&M–Commerce Lions softball (NCAA) (2015–Present)

The Lions softball team has played at John Cain Family Softball Complex since its first game, on February 1, 2015, against St. Edward's University. The stadium seats 800 spectators in both general admission and reserved seating, not including its extra capacity for standing-room-only spectators and those watching the game from the center-field picnic berm. The outfield fence is 190 feet (58 m) from home plate along each foul line and 220 feet (67 m) from the plate at center field. The playing surface is artificial turf, featuring an atypically blue-colored infield and a large A&M–Commerce lion logo in center field. John Cain Family Softball Field also features home and visitor in-ground dugouts, bullpens for both teams, and three batting cages. [2] As of October 2015, the softball program is raising funds to add an indoor batting facility on the grounds of the stadium. [18]

2019 and 2021 NCAA Division II South Central Regional tournament games were held at the stadium. [19] [20]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ernest Hawkins Field at Memorial Stadium</span> College sports stadium in Commerce, Texas

Ernest Hawkins Field at Memorial Stadium is an athletic stadium located in Commerce, Texas. It is primarily used for American football, and is the home field of the East Texas A&M University Lions football team, Texas A&M-Commerce Men's and Women's Track and Field, and the Commerce High School Tigers Football team of the Commerce Independent School District. Prior to 1996, the stadium was named "East Texas State Memorial Stadium, and until the end of the 2017 season, it was known as Texas A&M-Commerce Memorial Stadium." The stadium was built in honor of the 78 Texas A&M-Commerce alums and students who fought and died during World War II. The stadium was renamed Ernest Hawkins Field at Memorial Stadium was formally changed in November 2017 in honor of longtime Lion football coach Ernest Hawkins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Texas A&M Lions</span> Intercollegiate sports teams of East Texas A&M University

The East Texas A&M Lions are the athletic teams that represent East Texas A&M University, located in Commerce, Texas, in NCAA Division I intercollegiate sports. The Lions compete as members of the Southland Conference for all 12 varsity sports. East Texas A&M previously played in the Lone Star Conference from 1931 to 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Texas A&M–Kingsville Javelinas</span> Athletic teams representing Texas A&M University–Kingsville

The Texas A&M–Kingsville Javelinas are the athletic teams that represent Texas A&M University–Kingsville (TAMUK) in Kingsville, Texas, in intercollegiate sports at the Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in the Lone Star Conference (LSC) since the 1954–55 academic year.

The East Texas A&M Lions men's basketball team is the men's intercollegiate basketball program representing East Texas A&M University. The school competes in the Southland Conference (SLC) in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The team plays its home games at the University Field House on the university campus in Commerce, Texas. They are currently coached by Jaret von Rosenberg.

The East Texas A&M Lions football team is the college football program representing East Texas A&M University. The school competes in the Southland Conference (SLC) in Division I FCS of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Prior to joining the Southland, they competed in the Lone Star Conference of Division II. The East Texas A&M football team plays its home games at Ernest Hawkins Field at Memorial Stadium on the university campus in Commerce, Texas. On December 16, 2017, East Texas A&M won its first NCAA Division II national championship, by defeating West Florida, 37–27, in Kansas City. The Lions recorded a perfect record in 1934, won the NAIA National Championship in 1972, and have amassed a total of 24 LSC conference championships since joining as a charter member in 1931. On September 28, 2021, the university accepted an invitation from the Southland Conference, moving the university's athletics programs up to the NCAA Division I level. This ended a 90-year affiliation with the Lone Star Conference, as East Texas A&M was the last founding member remaining. The football team began competing at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision level starting with the 2022 season.

The East Texas A&M Lions women's soccer team is the women's intercollegiate soccer program representing East Texas A&M University. The school competes in the Southland Conference (SLC) in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). For the first 27 years of existence, they competed in the Lone Star Conference of Division II. The East Texas A&M women's soccer team plays its home games at Lion Soccer Field on the university campus in Commerce, Texas. The Lions won four LSC regular season championships, three conference tournament titles, and made six appearances in the NCAA Division II Tournament. The team is currently coached by Ashley Gordon.

The East Texas A&M Lions women's volleyball team is the women's intercollegiate volleyball program representing East Texas A&M University. The school competes in the Southland Conference (SLC) in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). For the first 44 years of existence, they competed in the Lone Star Conference of Division II. The East Texas A&M women's volleyball team plays its home games at the University Field House on the university campus in Commerce, Texas. The Lions have won two conference regular-season titles, an LSC tournament championship, and have appeared in the NCAA tournament on six occasions, three times during the tenure of head coach Kathy Goodlett (1983–89) and three under Craig Case.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colby Carthel</span> American football player and coach (born 1976)

Colby Don Carthel is an American college football coach and former player. He is the head football coach at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, a position he has held since December 2018. Carthel served as the head football coach at Texas A&M University–Commerce from 2013 to 2018, leading the 2017 Texas A&M–Commerce Lions football team to an NCAA Division II Football Championship title. Prior to his time as head coach, he was the defensive coordinator under his father, Don Carthel, at West Texas A&M University, from 2006 to 2012. Carthel played football at Angelo State University, where he was an all-conference linebacker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Texas A&M University–Commerce (1996–present)</span>

The history of Texas A&M University–Commerce (A&M–Commerce) since 1996 comprises the history of East Texas A&M University since East Texas State University (ETSU) was renamed and admitted into the Texas A&M University System. In this period, A&M–Commerce has been led by four presidents: Jerry D. Morris, Keith D. McFarland, Dan R. Jones, and Ray M. Keck, and has seen the number of students increase from 7,400 in 2000 to 13,000 in 2015. A number of new buildings have been added since 1996, most notably the Morris Recreation Center, the Keith D. McFarland Science Building (2006), the Rayburn Student Center (2009), and the Music Building (2011). In 2016, the university's Carnegie Classification was upgraded to "Doctoral University-Higher Research Activity" (R2), due in part to an Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Summer Faculty Fellowship and Fulbright Scholarships awarded to its faculty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Texas A&M University–Commerce</span>

The history of East Texas A&M University began in 1889 when William Leonidas Mayo founded a private teachers' college named East Texas Normal College in Cooper, Texas. After the original campus was destroyed in a fire in July 1894, the college relocated to Commerce. In 1917, the State of Texas purchased and transformed it into a state college, and renamed it East Texas State Normal College. Mayo died of a sudden heart attack the same day the Texas Legislature voted to buy the college, and he never heard the news. In 1923, it was renamed East Texas State Teachers College to define its purpose "more clearly", and in 1935 it began its graduate education program. From the 1920s through the 1960s, the college grew consistently, in terms of student enrollment, number of faculty, size of the physical plant and scope of the academic programs.

The 1980 East Texas State Lions football team represented East Texas State University—now known as Texas A&M University–Commerce—as a member of the Lone Star Conference (LSC) during the 1980 NAIA Division I football season. Led by 17th-year head coach Ernest Hawkins, the Lions compiled an overall record of 8–3–1 with a mark of 4–2–1 in conference play, placing fourth in the LSC. Two of the conference's members competed at the NCAA Division II level, while the rest remained in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Despite Southwest Texas State, an NCAA Division II member, winning the conference title, the NAIA division title was shared by East Texas State and Angelo State. The Lions advanced to the NAIA Division I Football National Championship playoffs, where they beat Central Arkansas in the quarterfinals before falling to Elon, the eventual national champion, in the semifinals.

The 1983 East Texas State Lions football team represented East Texas State University—now known as Texas A&M University–Commerce—as a member of the Lone Star Conference (LSC) during the 1983 NCAA Division II football season. Led by 19th-year head coach Ernest Hawkins, the Lions compiled an overall record of 8–2 with a mark of 6–1 in conference play, sharing the LSC title with Southwest Texas State. It was the team's final LSC title under Hawkins, who retired at the end of the 1985 season. East Texas State played home games at Memorial Stadium in Commerce, Texas

The 1988 East Texas State Lions football team represented East Texas State University—now known as Texas A&M University–Commerce—as a member of the Lone Star Conference (LSC) during the 1988 NCAA Division II football season. Led by third-year head coach Eddie Vowell, the Lions compiled an overall record of 8–3 with a mark of 5–2 in conference play, trying for second place in the LSC. East Texas State began the season at 8–1 and reached as high as No. 2 in the NCAA Division II rankings before losing their final two games. It was Vowell's first winning season as head coach and the program's the first winning season since 1983. The team played its home games at Memorial Stadium in Commerce, Texas.

The 1982 East Texas State Lions football team represented East Texas State University—now known as Texas A&M University–Commerce—as a member of the Lone Star Conference (LSC) during the 1982 NCAA Division II football season. Led by 19th-year head coach Ernest Hawkins, the Lions compiled an overall record of 6–4 with a mark of 4–3 in conference play, placing in a four-way tie for second in the LSC. East Texas State played home games at Memorial Stadium in Commerce, Texas.

The 1986 East Texas State Lions football team represented East Texas State University—now known as Texas A&M University–Commerce—as a member of the Lone Star Conference (LSC) during the 1986 NCAA Division II football season. Led by first-year head coach Eddie Vowell, the Lions compiled an overall record of 2–9 with a mark of 1–5 in conference play, placing sixth in the LSC. 1986 was only the second losing season for the program in 20 years. East Texas State played home games at Memorial Stadium in Commerce, Texas.

The 1987 East Texas State Lions football team represented East Texas State University—now known as Texas A&M University–Commerce—as a member of the Lone Star Conference (LSC) during the 1987 NCAA Division II football season. Led by second-year head coach Eddie Vowell, the Lions compiled an overall record of 2–9 with a mark of 0–5 in conference play, placing last out of six teams in the LSC. For the first time in program history, the East Texas State went winless in conference play. The team played its home games at Memorial Stadium in Commerce, Texas.

Billy Ray Minor Jr is a former American football wide receiver. He was in training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles NFL and played in the Arena Football League for the Dallas Texans in1993. He played college football at East Texas State University where he was a 4-year letterman, 2 time All Lone Star Conference performer, Conference Champion, member of 2 National quarter-finalist teams, and finished his career as a top 5 receiver in program history in receptions and receiving yards. He was inducted with the 1990 team in 2013 and individually in 2023.

The 1954 East Texas State Lions football team was an American football team that represented East Texas State Teachers College—now known as Texas A&M University–Commerce–as a member of the Lone Star Conference (LSC) during the 1954 college football season. Led by first-year head coach Jules V. Sikes, the Lions compiled an overall record of 6–3–1 with a mark of 5–0–1 in conference play, sharing the LSC title with Southwest Texas State.

The 2016 Texas A&M–Commerce Lions football team represented Texas A&M University–Commerce as a member of the Lone Star Conference (LSC) during the 2016 NCAA Division II football season. Led by fourth-year head coach Colby Carthel, the Lions compiled an overall record of 11–2 with a mark of 8–1 in conference play, winning the LSC title for the third consecutive season. Texas A&M–Commerce advanced to the NCAA Division II Football Championship playoffs for the fifth time in program history. In the first round, the Lions defeated Colorado Mesa, 34–23, for the program's first playoff win since 1991, but lost to the Grand Valley State, 55–32, in the second round. The Lions were ranked No. 9 in the final AFCA poll.

The 2023 Texas A&M–Commerce Lions softball team represented Texas A&M University–Commerce during the 2023 NCAA Division I softball season as members of the Southland Conference. The Lions played their home games at John Cain Family Softball Complex and were led by first year head coach Brittany Miller.

References

  1. ↑ "Logo Downloads - Texas A&M University-Commerce" . Retrieved October 21, 2017.
  2. 1 2 "John Cain Family Softball Field". LionAthletics.com. Texas A&M University–Commerce . Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  3. ↑ "A&M-Commerce to add Softball; First Pitch Slated for Spring 2015". LionAthletics.com. Texas A&M University–Commerce. May 20, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  4. 1 2 Whitlock, Bailey (December 4, 2015). "Lion's Softball Ready to Play in Second Season". The East Texan. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
  5. ↑ Welch, Cooper (July 17, 2013). "Bruister to be first A&M-Commerce softball coach". KETR . Retrieved January 5, 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 "2015 Softball Coaching Staff". LionAthletics.com. Texas A&M University–Commerce . Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  7. 1 2 "2015 Softball Cumulative Statistics". LionAthletics.com. Texas A&M University–Commerce . Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  8. ↑ "2015 Softball Standings". Lone Star Conference . Retrieved January 5, 2016.
  9. 1 2 "No. 3 seed Tarleton State Tops No. 6 seed A&M-Commerce in Walk-off Fashion". LionAthletics.com. Texas A&M University–Commerce. May 1, 2015. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Softball to host inaugural Lion Classic Tournament Friday and Saturday". KETR. February 6, 2015. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
  11. ↑ "LSC Tourney Champs! Lions beat Javelinas, 9-2, for first LSC Tournament title". LionsAthletics.com. May 8, 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Lions' historic season comes to a close with a 1-0 loss to the Javelinas". LionsAthletics.com. May 13, 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Gay McNutt steps down as Texas A&M University-Commerce Softball coach". LionAthletics.com. June 9, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Texas A&M University-Commerce announces Brittany Miller as head softball coach". LionAthletics.com. June 24, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Crystl Bustos hired as Texas A&M University-Commerce Assistant Softball coach". LionAthletics.com. August 3, 2022. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  16. ↑ "2023 Softball Schedule". LionAthletics.com. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  17. ↑ "2024 Softball Schedule". LionAthletics.com. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  18. ↑ "Lion Softball Moves HR Derby Fundraiser to Oct. 30". LionAthletics.com. Texas A&M University–Commerce. October 20, 2015. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  19. ↑ Wayne Cavadi (May 21, 2019). "2019 DII softball tournament: Brackets, schedules, scores". NCAA.org. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
  20. ↑ "Field set for 2021 DII Softball Championship". National Fastpitch Coaches Association. May 17, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2022.

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