January 26, 2016

SEDALIA—State Fair Community College has named Lyndsey Talbot head coach of its new softball program, which is set to begin play in spring 2017.

Talbot is an assistant softball coach at Central Methodist University (CMU), where she helps with all aspects of recruiting, practice and conditioning, specifically working with infielders, outfielders and hitters.

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to start a program from the ground up and watch it grow,” said Talbot.

Talbot is part of the coaching staff that led the CMU Lady Eagles to Heart of America Athletic Conference championships in 2011, 2014 and 2015. CMU also made trips to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national tournament in 2014 and 2015, as well as the school’s first-ever trip to the NAIA World Series in 2015. The team finished fifth in NAIA national rankings that season.

She was a member of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Regional Coaching Staff of the Year for 2014 and 2015 and attended the NFCA national convention the past two years. She has recruited at multiple Triple Crown softball tournaments and has helped with Triple Crown all-star games since 2013.

Talbot served as a graduate assistant softball coach at CMU from 2013-2015. From 2011-2013 she served as a graduate assistant athletic trainer for the men’s and women’s cross country and track and field teams at Oklahoma State University (OSU) and also worked at softball and basketball camps there.

Talbot played high school softball at Jefferson City High School and graduated in 2007 from Lakewood Christian School in McAlester, Oklahoma. She played softball at CMU from 2008-2010. During her freshman year the team won a Heart of America Athletic Conference championship, and the 2008 team was inducted into the CMU Hairston Hall of Fame in 2015. In 2011 she missed her senior season due to any injury but assumed the role of a student assistant coach, helping her team to another conference championship.

In 2011 Talbot received a Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training from CMU, and in 2013 she received a Master of Science degree in Exercise Science from OSU. She is working on a Master of Education degree in Athletic Administration at CMU.

Talbot is expecting dedication from SFCC’s first Lady Roadrunners softball team.

“I’m looking for hard-working kids with good attitudes,” said Talbot. “I will strive to instill mental toughness so the players give it their all. Academics have always been a huge part of my life; I want to see the girls succeed. They have to take their academics seriously.”

Athletic Director Darren Pannier said Talbot’s strong ties to central Missouri will be a tremendous advantage in recruiting.

“Talbot played at both Jefferson City High School and CMU and knows the area’s softball players,” said Pannier. “Her playing experience has helped develop her into a great coach for CMU. Her academic philosophy and work ethic are exactly what SFCC is looking for in its coaches.”

On Tuesday the Board of Trustees approved the hiring of Talbot, as well as Eddie Horn as head coach for men’s and women’s soccer and Jud Kindle as baseball head coach.

The coaches’ full-time contracts will become effective July 1. They will receive small stipends to cover planning and recruiting until they begin work full time.

The SFCC Board of Trustees voted in December to add baseball, softball and men’s and women’s soccer in the 2016-2017 academic year.

All four sports will be played at National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I levels. The baseball team will play at Dey Field at Liberty Baseball Stadium and the softball team will play at Richard Vansell Field in Liberty Park. SFCC’s soccer field will be redeveloped.

Pannier said the college has already received more than 90 inquiries from prospective players.

“Our priority is to recruit players within a 100-mile radius and from the college’s 14-county service area,” he said. Prospective student-athletes may submit information online at http://sfccmoroadrunners.com/student-athletes/prospects.

Baseball and soccer are not new to the college. SFCC’s baseball program began in spring 1970 and ended in spring 1988. The Residence Hall replaced the baseball field in 1999-2000.

Men’s soccer began as a club program in 1969 and ended in 2001. SFCC suspended the program for the 2002-2003 academic year after an administrative investigation revealed information suggesting player eligibility breaches preceding the 2001 season. The NJCAA then imposed sanctions, which recently were lifted at SFCC’s request.

SFCC has never had softball or women’s soccer programs.

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