Sam Messer Named Lady Bison Softball Coach

SHAWNEE – Oklahoma Baptist University Director of Athletics Robert Davenport announced the hiring of Sam Messer as the head coach of the Lady Bison softball program Wednesday.
 
"We are excited to have Coach Messer at the helm of our softball program," Davenport said. "Her experience and background make her a perfect fit for OBU. She will be a big hit on the recruiting trail and be able to bring in the talent necessary to make OBU a contender in the Great American Conference."
 
Messer comes to Bison Hill from Colorado Christian University, where she served as an assistant on Coach Shanon Hays staff. She joined the CCU program in 2015 as a graduate assistant coach and served as interim head coach in 2016.
 

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The Cougars recently wrapped up the best season in program history with a record 43 wins, a runner-up finish in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament, and an appearance in the NCAA Central Regional.
 
"I'm super excited to have the opportunity to lead the OBU softball program," Messer said. "I love being a part of Christian higher education and to be able to influence the athletic, academic and spiritual formation of our student-athletes. This is a great time to be at OBU – we have great facilities, great support from the university, and I can't wait to get started."
 
A native of Sarasota, Florida, Messer was an All-Conference USA pitcher at Florida Atlantic, playing four years for the Owls under head coach Joan Joyce. During her time as a student-athlete she was active in FAU's Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter and served on the executive board of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Messer received her undergraduate degree in Health Administration in 2015 from FAU, and completed her Master of Business Administration degree at CCU in 2017.
 

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What They're Saying About Coach Messer

"I'm proud of Sam getting the opportunity to lead the softball program at Oklahoma Baptist. She was a hard worker at FAU and then at CCU, gaining valuable experience to become a head coach."

Joan Joyce
Head Coach, Florida Atlantic


"I am very excited for Sam. She did a fantastic job here at CCU and it was pretty evident to me early that she was head coach material. She is very good with pitchers but also has a great feel for the game and how to recruit. OBU chose a good one."

Shanon Hays
Head Coach, Colorado Christian