Head Coach Nikki Bynum Bumpass of Saint Augustine’s University was named CIAA Softball Coach of the Year during the CIAA Softball and Baseball Awards Banquet at the MLK Building on the Saint Augustine’s University campus Wednesday, April 29, 2015.

Bumpass guided the Lady Falcons to a share of the CIAA Southern Division title this season. The division crown is the first for the Lady Falcons in recent memory. The Lady Falcons (18-12 overall) enter the CIAA Softball Championship tournament this weekend at Walnut Creek Softball Complex in Raleigh, N.C. as the Southern Division’s top seed.

The award is the latest achievement for Bumpass, who has led the Lady Falcons to two winning seasons in her four years as SAU head softball coach. In 2014, the Lady Falcons under Bumpass finished as CIAA softball runner-ups and posted the nation’s top batting average in Division II. Also the head volleyball coach, Bumpass steered the Lady Falcons to the CIAA women’s volleyball title in 2011. The women’s volleyball team has also won three consecutive CIAA Team Highest Grade Point Average (GPA) Awards in the sport under Bumpass.

Bumpass was one of five Lady Falcons who received individual accolades. Marley Parker (Fr./Langley, British Columbia) was honored for winning the CIAA Softball Rookie of the Year award and making the All-CIAA Rookie Team. Daja White (Jr./Leland, NC) was recognized for earning All-CIAA Second Team honors, and Meranda Zanni (So./Phoenix, OR) and Hannah Stutts (Sr./Statesville, NC) received trophies for being All-CIAA First Team selections.

The Lady Falcons were also highlighted for being CIAA Co-Southern Division champions. The trio of Bumpass, Assistant Coach Bruce Cozart and senior Taylor Walters (Douglasville, GA) received the award.