Jessie Homesley named Shorter head softball coach

From Shorter University Athletics:

The Shorter University Department of Athletics announced the hiring of Jessie Homesley as its new head softball coach Thursday afternoon following the resignation of Al Thomas earlier in the week.

“I am pleased to announce that Jessie will lead the Shorter University softball program as our new head coach,” director of athletics Kim Graham comments. “She will be able to build on the tradition that Al started eleven years ago.”

“I would first like to thank President Don Dowless and Athletic Director Kim Graham for this opportunity,” Homesley says. “Becoming a head coach has been a dream of mine for many years and I can’t think of a better place to get my start than at Shorter.”

Homesley, who enters her fifth season as a member of the Hawks’ coaching staff, has helped the team to a 163-60 overall record and an 89-37 mark in Gulf South Conference play during the last four years. Having been a part of Shorter’s 2014 NCCAA National Championship and historic run during the 2015 season that saw the team capture the GSC and NCAA DII South Region Championships, before finishing third at the DII Women’s College World Series, all in its first season of eligibility for both.

“We are very fortunate to have someone of her caliber be able to step in right away and make a smooth transition as we move the program forward. Jessie has been a very valuable assistant coach and knows the program and the players well,” Graham adds.

“We have an unbelievable group of student-athletes already in place who exude excellence in everything they do., and it is my goal to continue this and build upon this foundation,” Homesley notes. “I am so grateful for this opportunity and will not take it for granted.”

Homesley brings a wealth of knowledge to the plate for Shorter. As a student-athlete, Homesley, was a two time, 1^stTeam All-SoCon infielder for Furman University. And as an assistant coach for Shorter, she aided in every aspect of the program’s administrative processes in addition to her duties on the field.

A native of Acworth, Ga., Homesley prepped at Harrison High School, before earning a bachelor’s degree in business from Furman in 2012, and completing her master’s in leadership at Shorter in 2014.

“I know Jessie will be a great leader and role model for the team, our athletics department, and our University.”