COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – University of Colorado Colorado Springs Head Softball Coach Ricki Rothbauer-Stubbs has hired Kassie James as the Mountain Lions Assistant Coach.  James will work primarily with the pitching staff, and will also assist with scouting opponents, hitting, infield, camps and recruiting.
 
"I am so excited to welcome coach Kassie James to the Mountain Lion family and UCCS Softball," said Rothbauer-Stubbs.  "Coach James brings a wealth of experience from her playing and coaching careers that will make an immediate impact.  I believe her character and energy will be huge additions to our program, both in the bullpen and with the full team.  I can't wait to see how her contributions translate into our team's growth both on and off the field!"
 
A native of Orange, Texas, James comes to UCCS from the University of Arkansas at Monticello where she served as an assistant softball coach.  This past season, she helped the Blossoms to their first Great American Conference tournament appearance in four years.
 
"I am extremely grateful to Head Coach Ricki Rothbauer-Stubbs for this opportunity," said James. "Her leadership skills and structure of the softball program, along with the beautiful location of campus made the decision to be a part of UCCS an easy one. I believe in the vision she has set for program's future, and I am excited to get started."
 
James spent the 2020 season as an assistant coach at McNeese State University where her main role was with overall player development.  She also assisted with the infield, hitting, game strategy, recruiting and institutional skills camps.
 
Prior to McNeese State, James was the associate head coach at Frank Phillips College in Borger, Texas.  At FPC, James worked with infielders and pitchers and played a major role in recruiting, fundraising, and community outreach projects.
 
Her collegiate coaching career began at the University of Dallas as an assistant softball coach working with pitchers and assisted with game day and practice plans as well as with the recruiting effort.
 
James began her playing career as a two-year starter at third base for Angelina College in 2014 and 2015. She broke six school records, was a two-time NFCA All-American, and led her team to a 2014 NJCAA National Championship. In 2016, she was inducted into the Angelina College Hall of Fame.

After Angelina College, James transferred to Houston Baptist in 2016 where she was the starting third baseman for the Huskies. While at HBU, James earned Southland Conference honorable mention honors in 2017 and 2018.  She graduated from HBU with honors with a bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.

James received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, Math and Science from Houston Baptist University in 2017, followed by a Master of Leadership degree in 2020 from the University of Dallas.
 
James will begin her role at UCCS in July.