JAMESTOWN, NY - Jamestown Community College is proud to announce Ashton Beckerink as the new head coach of Jayhawk softball. "We're thrilled with the opportunity to name Ashton (Beckerink) as our newest member of the Jayhawk family," said JCC Athletic Director George Sisson. "She brings an energy and joy for the game and her infectious smile will be a welcome addition to JCC and our athletic department," added Sisson. "I am so excited to be a part of this program and to start to mold a team of my own," said Beckerink.
Beckerink joins JCC after a stellar playing career. She was part of the Falconer Falcons program that won a pair of Section 6 championships and helped the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford softball team reach two conference tournaments.
While at Pitt Bradford, Beckering played pitcher and catcher, which she believes are fantastic starting blocks for a coaching career. "Being a catcher, you see all that goes on on the field, so you get a different perspective into every position—being a catcher and seeing that overall view has brought more knowledge to me than other positional players. Pitching gives you a different view because of the stress. Having that knowledge of being in those spots will help me help my pitchers," mentioned Beckerink.
Ashton comes from a softball family. Her father, Darren Beckerink, is the varsity head coach for Southwestern Central School after over a decade of coaching the Trojans' baseball team, and her grandpa is also a long-time coach. Watching those two love the game and give back to their athletes was a motivator for her decision to guide the Jayhawks "Seeing my dad fill that role (father figures) for them (student-athletes) and the relationship he was able to fill for my friends, so if I can do that for someone, that is great," added Beckerink.
While she's new to being a bench boss, Ashton knows what worked for her as a college student-athlete and will look to the not-too-distant past for her coaching philosophy. "Coming straight from college softball, it is fresh in my mind how we obtained the goals that we reached. I saw the pros and negatives in the coaches I played for to guide me in what I want to be as a coach. Being young will have a positive impact on how I will coach. I still have those recent experiences," mentioned Beckerink. "Working on the basics. The basics are the building blocks for everyone. You can't forget the basics and expect to be great. While I want greatness from all, what is most important is to always push them to be the best that they can be," she added.
When Ashton isn't on the diamond, she enjoys campfires, swimming, running, and fitness.
Beckerink and the Jayhawks will start the 2025 season in March.
