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Jim Schlager, Head Softball Coach
Jim Schlager, Head Coach, finished his 9th season as the Lady Trail Blazer head women’s softball coach at John Wood Community College.
Jim’s great attitude, work ethic, strong recruitment and professionalism have been key elements to the establishment of a highly competitive softball program at John Wood. In addition to his softball coaching duties, Jim farms 600 acres near Canton, MO, and raises Angus cattle.
In 2005, Coach Schlager earned the Coach-of-the-Year honor in the conference.
Among the NJCAA national polls, their overall win-loss record placed them 40th in Division II. To compliment their season, they had 3 players named to the All-Conference Team, 2 NJCAA Academic All-Americans, and 5 received All-Conference Academic honors.
Region 24 is continually saturated year-in and year-out with outstanding Division II softball colleges, one of which Parkland College of Champaign, IL, who took 2nd Place at the NJCAA Division II National Softball Tournament. Also, highlighted this season was the Lady Blazers' 2-1 victory over Co-Piah Lincoln College of Mississippi earlier in March. Co-Piah Lincoln, who defeated Parkland once at the national tournament, eventually took 3rd Place at the NJCAA Divsion II National Softball Tournament.
While coaching his first season at John Wood, Jim had the honor of coaching his youngest daughter, Cathy. She played during the 1998 and 1999 seasons at John Wood. Cathy’s name can be found among the Top 10 offensive and Top 10 pitching statistical leaders for the Lady Blazers. After John Wood, Cathy moved on to Culver-Stockton College (Canton, MO), and played two seasons for the Wildcats. In 2001, Culver advanced to the NAIA national tournament.
Jim and his wife, Sharon, reside in Canton, MO. They have two adult daughters, Cathy, who is a medical technician at Hannibal Regional Hospital in Hannibal, MO, and Brenda, who is a respiratory therapist at American Home Patient in Kirksville, MO. Brenda has two children, Nathan and Shelbi.
For more information, you may contact Coach Schlager at 217/641-4979 or 660/341-7024.
Kelly Quigle, Assistant Softball Coach
Coach Kelly Quigle is serving her second year as the assistant coach for the Lady Blazer softball team. A native of Industry, Illinois, she graduated from Industry High School in 2000 where she played high school basketball under Coach Mike Fray. After graduating, Kelly continued her basketball career at John Wood Community College. While at John Wood, Kelly helped the team to two 20-win seasons and to an appearance in the semi-finals and in the finals of the Region 24 tournament.
In 2002, Kelly graduated from John Wood Community College with an Associate of Arts degree, and was named an Academic All-American by the NJCAA.
In addition to her softball coaching duties at John Wood, Coach Quigle also serves as the assitant coach for the JWCC women's basketball team. In December 2006, she completed her masters degree in Sports Management from Western Illinois University (Macomb, IL). Coach Quigle resides in Quincy, IL.
John Stutsman, Softball Pitching Coach
Coach John Stutsman enters his third season as the John Wood Lady Blazers' Pitching Coach. His coaching responsibilities include working with each Lady Blazer pitcher's fundamentals, technique and strategy.
Coach Stutsman, who's name is synonomus with fast pitch softball in the mid-west for 30+ years, has coached at Quincy University and Culver-Stockton College. Stutsman's knowledge of pitching and the game have been vital to the Lady Blazers' pitching staff.
During his coaching tenure at Quincy University, Stutsman guided his Lady Hawks to more than 400+ wins in 16 seasons and a trip to the NAIA national tournament. While coaching at Culver-Stockton, Stutsman served as recruiter and pitching coach, and guided them to a Conference Championship and a 2nd Place finish in their Region.
