STARKVILLE, Miss. – Head Coach Matt Houseman and his assistants Colleen Morse, Ryan Schalk, Brandon Bard and Felecia Smith of Muskegon Community College have been named as the 2010 National Fastpitch Coaches Association NJCAA Division II National Coaching Staff of the Year, the Association announced on Wednesday. 

Houseman and staff helped guide Muskegon to the program’s first-ever national title and ended the season with a record of 59-9. In addition to winning the national championship in their first national tournament appearance, the Jayhawks’ banner year also included winning the Michigan Community College Athletic Association and NJCAA District G championships. 

The 2010 season also marked the third straight year that Muskegon qualified for the District G tournament under Houseman. 

Helping lead the way for Muskegon this season were 2010 Louisville Slugger/NFCA NJCAA Division II All-Americans Ashley White, Ashley Melchert and Whitney Stratton. White finished the season in the circle for the Jayhawks with a 28-4 record and 305 strikeouts, while Melchert led her team at the plate with a .449 batting average and 17 home runs. 

Also having a big year at the dish for Muskegon was Stratton, who hit .428 in 2010 while driving in 68 runs. 

Earlier this month, the Muskegon staff was announced as one of three winners of the Regional Coaching Staff of the Year awards, which served as finalists for the national award. Joining the Jayhawks as regional winners this season were the staffs of Iowa Lakes from the Midwest and Johnson County from the South.