by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
An outstanding outfielder in her collegiate playing days, Jenn Strohman has been named assistant softball coach at Kansas City Kansas Community College.
A former player for new KCKCC head coach Lana Ross, Strohman also was an assistant under Ross at Fort Scott Community College last year.
In addition to coaching for Fort Scott against KCKCC here last season, Strohman played competitively against the Blue Devils in her collegiate playing days.
“Very fortunate to have Jenn on my staff,” Ross said. “The knowledge and passion she brings to the program will only elevate our program. Not only does she know me as a player for me for two years, she knows me as a coaching peer at Fort Scott.”
Ross said Strohman was an extremely hard worker, and Ross is excited that she is a part of Blue Devil softball.
Strohman played two years for Ross at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs.
A right fielder to take advantage of a strong throwing arm, Strohman played two seasons without an error. In her two seasons, Iowa Western compiled a 91-39 record including a 50-19 record as a sophomore. The conference leader in doubles with 27, she had an on-base percentage of .500 and was a member of the NJCAA Academic of the Year.
“I’m so happy to be here and excited about the beautiful field and working with coach Ross,” Strohman said. “She knows what she can expect from me since I have played for her and worked for her as a coach.”
Strohman completed her collegiate career at Bellevue University in Bellevue, Nebraska. A two-year starter who earned MCAC honors, she helped the Lady Bruins reach the NAIA national tournament as a freshman. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in liberal arts in 2009 and a Master’s in leadership in 2011, both from Bellevue.
For three years, she coached softball at Daniel Gross High School in Omaha, then left coaching for private business before rejoining Ross at Fort Scott last year.
“It was an ideal situation to get back into coaching and then to come to KCKCC this fall made it especially special,” Strohman said.
A native of Chino, Calif., Strohman played four years at Don Antonio Lugo High School in Chino before coming to Iowa Western to be close to family members in Nebraska and Iowa.