Brittany Dunson begins her first year as a member of the Francis Marion University softball coaching staff.
A student-athlete at both the University of Mobile and Northwest Florida State College, Dunson comes to FMU as a decorated individual both on and off the field. She was an All-Conference performer at NFSC in both 2009 and 2011, and earned First-Team All-Southern States Athletic Conference recognition in 2012 and 2013 at Mobile.
A graduate of UM who excelled in the classroom, Dunson earned her B.S. degree in Human Performance and Exercise Science with a certification in physical education. She was a four-time Academic All-American and as a senior in 2013 was named to the CoSIDA Capital One Academic All-America team.
“I like to bring in assistants who were successful both on and off the field,” FMU head coach Stacey Vallee said. “The players have respect for them in both areas and can learn from them on the field and in the classroom.”
While studying at UM, Dunson was a coach at Semmes (Ala.) Middle School and also coached for the West Florida Elite Softball Organization from 2011 to 2013. Dunson was head coach of the WFESO 16U team in 2011 and 2012 as well as the 18U team in 2013.
At FMU, Dunson will put much of her focus on working defensively with the outfielders as well as slap hitters at the plate. A left-handed slap hitter and outfielder at UM, she will bring quality experience and knowledge in each of these areas.
“She is going to bring a young passion for the game,” said Vallee. “She wants to make an impact and help the players achieve their goals on and off the field. Carrying on a tradition of successful students in the softball program is what we want from our players and assistants who were successful in the classroom and can help in that direction.”
Dunson is a welcome addition to a staff which already includes Vallee, who is entering her tenth season as FMU head coach, and second-year assistant coach Leslie Hensley.
(8-2014)
