Head Softball Coach Kristen Hunt announced the hiring of Jamie Purcell as the new Graduate Assistant Coach in early-August of 2017. Purcell is now in her second season with the Scarlet Raiders in 2019. She assists with all aspects of the softball program.
A graduate of The College of New Jersey in May 2016, Purcell earned a dual-degree in Elementary Education as well as History.
"I could not be more excited to welcome Jamie into the Rutgers-Newark softball family," said Hunt. "She knows our conference, is very familiar with the greater-New Jersey area and already has a strong coaching background."
Purcell knows the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) well after a decorated four-year career at TCNJ. Purcell competed in 151 games, starting 150, as a catcher and utility player while earning All-NJAC honors each of her four seasons. She was an honorable mention in 2013, first-team as a sophomore, second-team as a junior, and she capped her career with another first-team All-NJAC award. Purcell was a career .275 hitter who racked up 122 hits and 53 RBI while fielding her position at .984% clip.
The Lions made the NCAA Tournament following Purcell's rookie year, and while serving as a team captain in 2016, her squad made it back to the NCAA Tournament as she earned NCAA Regional Tournament Team honors.
As a coach, Purcell has led the NJ Pride Softball 18u Gold team in the summer of 2016 and the NJ Pride Softball 18u Elite team in 2015. She has also been an instructor at the Lady Lions Sports Camp in Caldwell, N.J. since 2009 where she coaches and mentors young student-athletes on the skills, techniques, and competitive strategies necessary for individual and team achievement. In addition, Purcell has worked as a softball coach at the 4 Real Baseball and Softball Camps, TCNJ Softball Winter Clinic, Nike Softball Camp, and Long Valley Girls' Softball Association Summer Softball Camp.
Purcell replaces former Graduate Assistant Coach Laura Messina who completed her two-year term in May.
