Katie Willingham
Katie Willingham, Head Softball Coach / Coordinator of Student Activities at Cleveland State Community College, was recently selected as the Region VII Assistant Women’s Region’s Director for the National Junior College Athletic Association. Willingham has been with Cleveland State for 12 years, serving five as the Assistant Women’s Softball Coach and the past seven as the Head Softball Coach.
When former CSCC Women’s Basketball Coach Dan Lumpkin stepped down as the Region VII Women’s Director, his assistant, Dr. Foster Chason took the director’s position, leaving a vacancy in the Assistant Director’s position. Willingham submitted her name and was elected by the athletic directors across the state to fill the position.
“I really didn’t think I was going to get this, so I’m very honored,” stated Willingham. “This is quite a surprise. This is something I could see myself doing later on in life, possibly being a director holding some sort of administrative position with women’s sports or sports in general, so I’m really looking forward to the experience.”
“Katie is well deserved of this appointment with the TCCAA and Region VII,” stated Mike Policastro, CSCC Athletic Director. “Her experience in the conference and region will help her with this appointment of assistant region director.”
Willingham’s responsibilities as assistant director will include assisting region directors in checking on rules and regulations for games and protests, to help ensure the region is well represented in the National Junior College Athletic Association.
“One of the other responsibilities that I will have is that I am a part of the women’s golf committee with the NJCAA, so I will have to serve on that committee, so I’m excited about that experience, as well.”
Willingham continued, “I’m also just looking forward to learning more about being a part of the administrative side of the national junior college. For me personally, I want to make sure our region is represented, and I want to help support women’s sports, women coaches and the student athletes.”
Willingham received her Bachelor of Science degree from Lee University in Physical Education with an emphasis in Recreation in 2005 and plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Sports Administration. She and her husband, Adam, have two children, Addy, 9, and Brantley, 5.