Assistant Softball Coach Emily VanFleet Promoted to Head Coach

Kalamazoo Valley Community College has named Emily VanFleet as head softball coach, replacing Morgan VanderBor who departed in July to be an assistant coach for Western Michigan University's softball program.

The college conducted a search for a head coach to lead its historically successful softball program, but ultimately didn't have to look far and made the decision to elevate VanFleet, who had been serving as assistant coach under VanderBor.

VanFleet has a long history with Kalamazoo Valley. She started as a student-athlete, playing softball with the college from 2012 to 2014. She was part of back-to-back Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) Conference Championships in 2013 and 2014, and National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA ) National Tournament runs in 2013 and 2014.

After her time at Kalamazoo Valley, VanFleet transferred to Trine University in Angola, Indiana, to continue her intercollegiate softball experience. She graduated from Trine in 2016 and returned home to her home in Mattawan. In 2016, she began her tenure as a paid assistant coach with the Kalamazoo Valley softball program under the leadership of Head Coach Morgan VanderBor.

"The team experienced great success from 2016 through 2022 with the coaching staff of Morgan VanderBor, Emily VanFleet and Erika Whittington," says Athletic Director Russ Panico. "I believe the historic success that Kalamazoo Valley's softball program has previously enjoyed will continue under the leadership of Coach VanFleet. At this time, it is expected that Assistant Coach Erika Whittington will remain on in this role."