Susquehanna University Women's Softball

DeRossett joined Susquehanna in the Fall of 2022. DeRossett came to Susquehanna having spent two seasons as the head coach at Wheeling University in West Virginia, her first head coaching position after spending four years at Alfred University, her first three as a graduate assistant before being elevated to a full-time assistant in her fourth year. "Coach DeRo" took the 2023 edition of Susquehanna softball to their second straight Landmark Championship game appearance after posting 25 wins. The season was also watermarked by first baseman Ashley Warner earning NFCA All-Region V Second Team accolades. Despite several key players graduating in 2023, Susquehanna returned to the Landmark Tournament in 2024 with 19 victories.  Coach DeRossett's journey has spanned multiple states and NCAA Divisions, with her playing career starting at Northeastern Junior College in Colorado, then moving to Ohlone Junior College in California before wrapping up at Division II institution University of Wisconsin-Parkside. With her coaching career having begun at the Division III level at Alfred, she now returns to Division III bringing success and experience at multiple levels of collegiate athletics. DeRossett handled pitch calling for an Alfred staff that was one of the strongest in the Empire 8 Conference. Over the 12-game shortened 2020 season, the Saxons' pitching staff posted a 1.59 earned run average (25th in Division III) with five shutouts (tied for eighth in Division III). In the final game of the shortened season, Alfred pitcher Jessica Wilcox tossed a perfect-game and struck out 12 with DeRossett calling in the pitches from the dugout. DeRossett earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology at Wisconsin-Parkside in 2017 and a Master's degree in College Student Development from Alfred University in 2020.   YEAR SCHOOL OVERALL RECORD CONFERENCE RECORD POSTSEASON 2021 Wheeling 10-32 9-23 2022 Wheeling 14-33 6-25 2023 Susquehanna 25-16 8-4 Landmark Tournament Finalist (No. 4 Seed) 2024 Susquehanna 19-18 9-6 Landmark Tournament (No. 4 Seed) 2025 Susquehanna 14-20 10-6 Landmark Tournament (No. 3 Seed) Susquehanna 58-54 27-16 2 Landmark Tournament Berths 1 Landmark Championship Appearance TOTALS 2 Schools 82-119 42-64 3 Conference Tournament Berths 1 Conference Championship Appearance As a Head Coach:  Susquehanna University (NCAA Div. III, Landmark), 2023-Pres. Wheeling University (NCAA Div. II, MEC), 2021-22 As an Assistant Coach:  Alfred University (NCAA Div. III, Empire 8), 2017-20 Associate's in Human Development - Ohlone Junior College (2015) Bachelor's in Psychology - Wisconsin Parkside (2017) Master's in College Student Development - Alfred University (2020)  

John Funk was announced as Susquehanna's seventh head men's and women's swimming and diving coach in August 2025.  "John's coaching experience, recruiting success, and student-centered approach make him a terrific fit for Susquehanna," related Director of Athletics Sharief Hashim. "He understands how to build relationships with student-athletes while maintaining a competitive edge in the pool. We are excited to welcome John and his family to Selinsgrove." About John Funk "First off, I am honored to accept the head swimming and diving coach position at SU. Secondly, I want to thank Susquehanna University, the athletics program and Sharief Hashim for giving me this opportunity and believing in me. I look forward to continue building upon the rich history of academic and athletic excellence at SU. I am excited to lead, inspire and grow with this incredible group of student athletes and staff." In Funk's seven years with the Bison the women's team finished as high as second at the Patriot League Championships, while the men's team reached as high as third. He was the program's recruiting coordinator and assisted in writing strength and conditioning programs, including composing dry land workouts. In his time on the Lewisburg campus the Bison boasted over 50 All-Patriot Leaguers. Funk also was head coach of the Lewisburg Gators club team since 2019, overseeing over 100 swim team members ranging from ages 5-18 and a coaching staff ranging from 12-15 people. At Rider, Funk compiled an outstanding swimming career with the Broncs as the program won the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) championship in 2012 and 2013, and was a three-time team MVP. A three-time MAAC conference champion and record holder, he posted an NCAA B Cut 1:47.56 in the 200-yard individual medley at the 2012 MAAC Championships. Funk also swam a career-best 1:47.90 in the 200-yard backstroke at the 2012 MAAC Championships. A US Open Qualifier, Funk also competed collegiately in the 100-yard butterfly, the 400-yard individual medley and was part of an 800-yard free relay team that set a school record (6:40.21) at the 2012 ECAC Championships. Funk graduated from Rider in May, 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education/English. A native of Las Vegas, Nev., Funk earned his Master of Liberal Arts degree from Texas Christian University, while serving as a graduate assistant for the Horned Frogs during the 2013-14 season. The following year he was promoted to assistant coach, a role he served in until 2018. He served as a stroke group coach for the breaststroke and butterfly swimmers and served as the men's team coordinator, NCAA compliance liaison, and recruiting coordinator. The men's team placed third at the Big 12 Championships each year from 2016 to 2018, as well as the women placing fifth consecutively.  Funk attended Southeast Career and Technical Academy in Las Vegas, Nev. where he swam and played varsity soccer. As a high school swimmer, he captured the 200-yard backstroke title at the 2009 Nevada State Meet and won the 100-yard backstroke at the 2008 Nevada High School State Championship. He was also a USA Junior National Qualifier and USA Winter National Qualifier.    

Katie Robbins '96 is currently in her 27th season as an assistant men's and women's swimming & diving coach in 2022-23. Robbins is one of the women's program's best success stories. Coming from a high school that had no swim team, she became one of Susquehanna's top distance swimmers and a team captain by her senior season. She has been teaching science at Selinsgrove Area High School since 1998. Robbins is a very successful age-group coach with the Mifflinburg Aquacats during the summer, taking her former hometown team from the bottom of the Susquehanna Valley Swimming and Diving League to being a top contender within five years. Robbins earned her Master's in Education from Bucknell in 1998, while attaining her B.S. in biology from SU in 1996.

Jewels Hepner was introduced as Susquehanna University's Swimming and Diving Assistant Coach prior to the 2025-26 season. Hailing down the road from Lewisburg, Hepner recently completed her collegiate career at Millersville University, earning her Bachelor's in Sports Administration in 2025 and currently pursuing her Master's in Sports Management.  "We are so excited to welcome Jewels into our SU Swim and Dive community," related head coach John Funk. "At every stage of the interview process Jewels proved herself to be a wonderful fit for our program. Jewels has great experience coaching and competing and we are looking forward to collaborating with her. We are excited to learn and grow as a team and program with Jewels." Hepner was a four year swimmer at Millersville University, gaining valuable experience in the pool and out of the pool. Specializing in the freestyle and breaststroke, Hepner recorded 13 school records during her four years as a Marauder, becoming one of the first walk-on athletes to accomplish this feat. She represented the Millersville swim team as the SAAC Representative, voting on changes inside of the PSAC and NCAA, changing swimming for future student-athletes. Hepner brings experience as the head coach of the Mifflinburg Summer Swim Team, where she led the team in all facets of action, including creating workouts for meet warm-ups, and practices. 

Tammi Beers-Franklin graduated from Susquehanna back in 1997 after pitching for the SU during her time as a Crusader. Tammi joined the coaching staff back in 2018 as a part-time assistant for the River Hawks.  Tammi is married to husband Stephen, and has a son, Kyan.