Amy Schmeckpeper hired as new GCCC softball Head Coach

(Courtesy of Garden City Community College Athletics)

GARDEN CITY, Kan. — After nearly a decade, the Broncbuster softball program has a new face with Amy Schmeckpeper taking the reigns as the team’s next Head Coach, college officials announced on Friday.

“Amy has so much passion for softball; that was apparent when we first interviewed her,” Director of Athletics, Greg McVey said. “She has a lot of experience at this level, which will definitely bode well in this position.”

Schmeckpeper dawns the brown and gold after five seasons as an assistant softball coach at Lamar where she tutored the pitching staff. During her tenure, the Lopes won 102 games and shaved their team ERA from 8.15 to 3.52. She also coached 13 All-Region athletes including the 2018 Region IX Player of the Year and the 2017 Region IX Freshman of the Year.

“I’m just super excited about the atmosphere at Garden City,” Schmeckpeper said. “The resources the school provides for the athletes are second to none, and I feel I can bring some great energy to the program.”

Prior to Lamar, Schmeckpeper was an assistant at her alma mater, the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA for two years. Before that, she spent time as an assistant for the Under 18 Tacoma Royals club team and was the Head Coach of the Under 16 Boise Blast.

“Our biggest thing is that we need to get the right recruits,” Schmeckpeper explained. “They need to be focused both on the field and in the classroom. A competitive mindset is very important. And we want to be out in the community.”

She also brings versatility to the position. During her time at Lamar, Schmeckpeper served as the Student Success Navigator, where she was responsible for enrollment, academic progress and eligibility. She also spent two years as an Adjunct Instructor from 2015-2017.

“She has experience in multiple areas of student life,” McVey added. “That was something that really stood out.”

Schmeckpeper joined the coaching ranks after a standout playing career at the University of Puget Sound. As a senior, she hit .250, third highest on the team. The year before, she led the squad with 109 at bats. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in History in 2014; then attained her Master of Arts in Teaching the following year.