After what was thought to be the final seasons for the Stillman College baseball and softball programs, Stillman athletic director Donte Jackson has announced that the school will retain both programs and continue play next season.
“We looked at softball and baseball as two of the traditional sports that have always been here at Stillman College, and two of the traditional sports that we’ve had a lot of success with,” Jackson said. “So in our efforts to boost enrollment, it was a good to retain softball and baseball.”
Stillman added a men’s junior varsity basketball team this past year, which yielded great success. The team finished the year 11-2 including a victory over eventual JUCO state champion Marion Military. Because of that success, Jackson has implemented a junior varsity team for women’s basketball, in addition to the baseball and softball teams that will all begin competing this upcoming academic year.
“Many schools our size have begun adding junior varsity programs as a way to fund and feed their varsity programs,” said Jackson. “Some athletes coming out of high school need another year or two to grow, mature, and develop. Ultimately, we would like to see these junior varsity players be called up to play with the varsity. That should be their goal as well.”
Jackson also announced who will serve the coaching positions of both varsity teams. Julius McDougal will remain at his position as baseball coach. McDougal took Stillman to the SIAC championship game in his first season in 2016. Stillman Softball will be making a change at the position though, as longtime coach Pam Phillips announced she is moving on.
“For softball, we lost coach Pam Phillips, who was a basically a stalwart here at Stillman college,” Jackson said. “We have promoted Joel Worthington to replace Coach Phillips as head softball coach.”
Courtesy: Stillman Athletics
