Missouri Western State University Women's Softball

Nicole Thompson was named as the seventh head coach in Missouri Western Softball history in June 2024. Her first season at MoWest in 2025 saw the Griffons post a 32-21 record and a 12-12 mark in MIAA play. Thompson's first season was highlighted by the final season of legendary pitcher Sydney Rader, who earned first team all-MIAA honors, an MIAA Gold Glove Second Team All-Region and an NFCA Gold Glove. The 2025 team also set a new program record with 176 walks drawn. They also ranked third in program history with 89 stolen bases.   Thompson came to MWSU from NCAA Division II Regis University in Colorado, and is fresh off a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Tournament championship and an NCAA South Central Regional appearance in 2024. In her five seasons at the helm of Regis, Thompson compiled a 132-101 overall record, leading the Rangers to 33 wins or more in each of the last three seasons. Her 2024 squad swept their way to the RMAC Tournament title as a five seed and earned the program's first NCAA Tournament berth since 2015. The Rangers also then defeated #1 nationally ranked West Texas A&M in the tournament's opening round.    Prior to Regis, the Loveland, Colorado native spent three seasons as the head softball coach at NAIA Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky.. Thompson compiled an overall record of 82-70, while her Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) record was a remarkable 50-20. She guided her team to third-place finishes in 2017 and 2018, earning AAC Coach of the Year honors in 2017.    Thompson had quite the unique start to her coaching career. Originally accepting a position as the Assistant Director for Communications at Union College in February of 2016, Thompson served as the Interim Head Coach beginning in September of 2016 before being named the full-time head coach.   In May of 2016, Thompson completed her Master's Degree in Athletics Administration as a Graduate Assistant for Sports Information at William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri.   Thompson was a dual-sport athlete in college, competing in both softball and basketball for Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas. As a softball player, she was a three-time All-Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) First Team selection at shortstop. Her team won two KCAC regular season championships, and one KCAC Tournament title, making two NAIA National Tournament appearances (2012, 2013). Thompson ended her collegiate career with a .362 average, .394 slugging percentage, 203 hits, and 61 RBIs. She ranks second in Bethany history with 87 career stolen bases and fourth all-time in runs scored with 128.   Nicole Thompson is married to J.T. Thompson and has a daughter named Kramer.

Dickerson officially became a Griffon in August 2024 and will serve as a full-time assistant designated to helping pitching and catching staffs. Before joining MWSU, she was a graduate assistant at the University of Kansas and contributed to the Jayhawks' seven top-25 victories in 2023 and 2024. Steffany was a standout starting pitcher at Missouri State who received numerous accolades, including MVC Pitcher of the Year and MVC All-Tournament MVP. She completed her collegiate career with an impressive ERA of 2.24 and 530 strikeouts. The Oklahoma City native holds a Bachelor's Degree in Sport and Park Administration from Missouri State and a Master's Degree in Sport Management from Kansas.