Dwight Sanders

Experienced Head Softball Coach adept at recruiting, training and leading players through the rigors of practice and competition. Motivational teacher with a caring approach and strong focus on discipline, sportsmanship, and lifelong skills. Pursuing a new professional opportunity with a growing program.

• Conference Record (21-21).
• RMAC All-Conference Honorable mention x6.
• Team GPA: 3.04.
• RMAC 1st All-Academic team x1.
• RMAC All Academic honor roll x4.
• RMAC Academic All district x3.
• NFCA Academic All American x9.
• Fundraised $38,000 for the program.
• Graduation Rate 100%.
• Set school record for triples in a season (19).
• Conference Record (20-20).
• RMAC All-Conference Honorable mention x3 2nd Team x1.
• Team GPA: 3.18.
• RMAC All-Academic team x3.
• NFCA Academic All American x10.
• Fundraised $27,000 for program.
• RMAC tournament qualifier.
• Set school record Batting Average (.423).
• 24-15.
• Team GPA: 3.71 (Top 5 in country, 1st in department).
• NJCAA 2nd team All American x1.
• NJCAA First Team Academic All Americans x7.
• NJCAA Second Team Academic All Americans x3.
• NJCAA Third Team Academic All Americans x7.
• NJCAA Region 9 All Region Player x3.
• Ranked 21st In the Country.
• 12-3.
• Team GPA: 3.26 (Leading GPA for Otero Athletic Department).
• NJCAA Academic Team of the year.
• NJCAA First Team Academic All Americans x5.
• NJCAA Third Team Academic All Americans x5.
• Region 9 All-Academic Team x13.
• NFCA All American Scholar Athlete x13.
• Athletes Moved on: 1x CSU-Pueblo, 1x University of Nebraska Kearney, 1x New Mexico Highlands, 1x Western Oklahoma University, 1x Penn State University, 1x Sterling College.
• Ranked 14th In the Country.
• Set School Record for Batting Average (.417).
• 32-16.
• Team GPA 3.0.
• NJCAA All Region 9 Player x5.
• NJCAA Player of the Year x1.
• NJCAA 1st Team All American x1.
• NJCAA Academic All-American x5.
• NFCA All-Region West Athletes x3.
• NFCA All-Americans x2.
• NFCA All American Scholar Athlete x8.
• NFCA Player of The Week x2.
• Fastpitch News (FPN) D1 NJCAA Player of The Year x1.
• FPN All-American x1.
• Athletes Moved On: 1x Colorado Mesa University, 1x McPherson University, 1x Fort Hays, 1x Southwest Baptist University (MO), 1x Midwestern State, 1x University of Nebraska Kearney.
• Region 9 Runner Ups.
• 25-23 Record.
• Team GPA: 2.9.
• NJCAA Academic All-American x2.
• Postseason Appearance (Championship).
• NCJAA All Region 9 Player x2.
• Athletes Moved On: 1x William Penn.
• Set school record in batting average (.393), Homeruns (68).
• 21-19 Record.
• Team GPA: 2.5.
• Postseason Appearance (Semi-Finals).
• NJCAA All-American x1.
• NJCAA All-Region 9 Player x2.
• Athletes Moved On: 3x Ottawa University, 1x Fort Hays, 1x William Penn, 1x Colorado Christian.

• Member of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) (2018-present).
• Endorsed NFCA hitting coach.
• Endorsed NFCA pitching coach.
• CDL
• CPR & AED Certified

• After doing some research it looks like there are 7 athletes that will be leaving this year. 5 seniors and 2 transfer portal athletes. The team will need some competitive arms added to the roster. I believe it has depth but is lacking a true #1 and #2 right now. I do think that the current arms can be impactful with some coaching. The roster also would need speed to put pressure on opposing teams, the team must improve in stolen bases going forward to be a contender. I know incoming freshman Laynee Case will add some speed and versatility to the lineup. Jacquelin Berkowitz is a speedy outfielder who has an opportunity to be an impact player for UCCS. Alyssa Haberstroh can add talent to the corners and help solidify the infield line up for years to come.
• Pitchers:
• 1. Autumn kunze
• 2. Mackenzie Rutkoff
• 3. Ella Ebert
• 4. Jayden Paulsen
• Infielders:
• 1. Kelsey Bell
• 2. Morgan Hernandez-Belew
• 3. Sydney King
• 4. Brianna Jennings
• 5. Alyssa Haberstroh – (Incoming Freshman)
• 6. Laynee Case – (Incoming Freshman)
• Catcher:
• 1. Cassidy Hubner
• 2. Molly Sherwood
• 3. Brynna Frey
• Outfielder:
• 1. Maddie Unrein
• 2. Brian Mattos
• 3. Mia Perez
• 4. Makena Geist
• 5. Elizabeth Browning
• 6. Jacquelin Berkowitz – (Incoming Freshman)

• The first 30 days are essential when taking over a new program. I understand that for the student athletes there can and probably is some confusion, excitement, disappointment, and anxiety because the coach they were recruited by is no longer here. It is my job to smooth that transition and help reassure athletes of the change. The following is on my to do list for my first 30 days if I am selected as the head coach of UCCS.
• 1. Meet with the incoming freshman, returning players, and transfers via zoom.
• 2. Work on establishing trust and a coaching relationship with players throughout summer.
• - Texting, zoom calls, and phone calls are ways to do so.
• 3. Learn about current roster and players from the inside instead of my outside perspective.
• - Look at the charting information I have against UCCS athletes.
• - Watch more game film of UCCS.
• 4. Build player profiles of athletes on roster.
• 5. Learn the institution’s policies and way of operation.
• 6. Hire a qualified assistant coach.
• 7. Hire 2-3 volunteer/grad assistant coaches to round out coaching staff.
• 8. Secure sponsorships for the upcoming season.
• 9. Promote UCCS camps for August & Fall.
• 10. Connect with community and find ways to engage with them to grow brand awareness.
• 11. Engage in talks with Mizuno to work on special team pricing for bats and gloves.
• I would love the opportunity to work with the administrative team to transform this program into the top program in the RMAC. As a coach I am passionate and have a lot of integrity and I do things the right way. I am a talented coach due to my recruiting, development of athletes, ability to attract quality coaches, and fundraising capabilities. With these traits I know I can turn this program into a yearly contender within the next couple of years. I would be more than happy to discuss any of these topics more in person or over the phone.
• Respectfully
• Dwight Sanders
• Cell Phone: 719-354-7567

• I understand fundraising is essential for a college program and is something I not only enjoy doing but am efficient at. Most of my fundraising ideas are centered around three goals. 1. Is fundraising money for the program, 2. Is trying to provide a recruiting opportunity for myself. 3. To broaden the reach of UCCS and increase knowledge of the facilities, town, and school.
• 1. E-team sponsor:
• O I have raised $42,000 for my programs through this tactic.
• 2. Camps:
• O I average 50 kids per camp and fundraise roughly $10,000 per year.
• 3. Host events for local Junior Colleges and charge an entry fee.
• 4. Fall tournament.
• O Invite JUCOS to play in exposure tournament/scrimmage.
• 5. JUCO’s
• O JUCO exposure camp/combine.
• O Region 9 Playoffs (Neutral site)
• 6. Allow High school teams to play at our complex and charge a fee.
• O Make money off concessions/ entry fee.
• O Sell UCCS merchandise at games.
• O Be a neutral site for their post-season and charge flat rates.
• 7. Hosting sanctioned softball events in summer
• USSSA, Triple Crown, ASA, etc.
• 8. Coordinate with Runyon to host big tournaments in Colorado Springs/ Pueblo area.
• 9. Sponsors
• 1. Mizuno
• 10. Meet the players day.
• O Kids and fans get to meet our team and players. Autographs, photos, and activities that get our players involved with kids/fans.
• 11. Dinners that the softball team hosts and works.
• 12. Breast cancer games.
• 13. Campus events
• O Home run derby
• O Corn hole
• O Wiffle ball league
• 14. Golf Tournament

• I believe that UCCS should be competing for an RMAC title every year and should have the ability to go deep into the postseason. The goal every year will be to build a contender not only conference wise but nationally. I will build a team that will refuse to lose and will compete every inning of every game. Below are some bullet points on some key points I think will help achieve and position UCCS as a top RMAC team. I truly believe I have the skill set as a head coach to build the culture at UCCS into resilient student athletes who will make the community and admin department proud on and off the field.
• 1. Build competitive and inclusive culture on softball team.
• 2. Foster productive relationships with administrative team.
• 3. Build UCCS into a premium RMAC program.
• 4. High academic success every year.
• 5. High community support.
• 6. Work closely with Admin team to improve facilities.
• 7. Provide excellent student athlete experience.
• 8. Fundraise money to improve athletic training equipment.
• 9. Diversify talent on team.
• 10. Build deep and knowledgeable coaching staff.

• Short term goals:
• 1. Bring in talent with transfers.
• 2. Develop current talent on roster academically & athletically.
• 3. Identify and attract high quality student athletes.
• 4. Access and implement culture.
• 5. Grow academic excellence.
• 6. Graduation rate 100%.
• 7. Compete in RMAC.
• 8. Finish top 4 in RMAC.
• 9. Develop more sponsors for Softball program.
• 10. Engage with community and increase support for program.
• 11. Grow brand and reputation of UCCS softball.
• 12. Develop program’s image.
• Long term goals:
• 1. Top academic team in the RMAC.
• 2. Recruit and retain top Colorado talent.
• 3. Recognized as top 25 D2 program.
• 4. Compete nationally, i.e. (regionals, super regionals, world series.)
• 5. Fundraise and use funds/connections to upgrade UCCS softball complex.
• 6. Attract top notch student athletes every year.
• 7. Build alumni support for program.

• I believe dominance should start in a classroom. I will continue to challenge UCCS athletes to be consistent with the academic excellence they already have in the classroom. I truly want the athletes to embrace the student athlete mindset and dominate not only on the field but in the classroom as well. I utilize the study hall twice a week for my student athletes for an hour each day. If their GPA is above a 3.5 for the semester, I do not require them to come until it drops below that GPA mark. My program has bi-weekly grade checks and then conversations as needed about course correction with their grades.
• Academic Team Highlights
• 1. Highest Team GPA 3.71
• 2. NJCAA Academic Team of the year
• 3. Otero Junior College Graduation Rate: 95%
• 4. Fort Lewis Graduation Rate: 100%
• 5. 3 Selected for The Academic All District Team
• Academic Goals
• 1. Team GPA 3.5 Average
• 2. RMAC Academic Team
• 3. Academic All Americans
• 4. Graduation Rate 100%
• 5. Increase academic success year by year.

• June 10th, 2023
• University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
• Head Softball Coach
• Dear UCCS Hiring Committee
• My experience as a collegiate athlete and coach has taught me the importance of time management and prioritization. I finished my bachelor’s degree in business administration with a solid 3.53 GPA. While coaching at Otero Junior College I decided to further my education and get my MBA; I finished with a GPA of 3.44. This experience has enabled me to find the balance between pushing my athletes academically without overwhelming or discouraging them. As a coach I have found ways to motivate my student athletes to take their education seriously and strive to be the best version of themselves in all aspects of their lives. One achievement that exemplifies this in the 2019 season our team earned a 12-3 record (our season was cut short due to covid) and earned the NJCAA Academic Team of the Year award for softball for the highest GPA in our respective sport in the country.
• I have coached at the college level for nearly a decade, and I am proud to say that I have always recruited and coached teams that possess intangible characteristics. My teams have found the balance between being competitive while practicing good sportsmanship. The athletes in my programs excel in the classroom and are well liked and respected by teachers and administrators. More importantly, the athletes I have coached have found success after concluding their softball careers.
• I have never had the opportunity to coach a program with the resources that UCCS offers but have been able to build competitive teams despite challenges. The adversity I have endured in my career has allowed me to develop the personality and skills to be the leader student athletes need. At Otero I had to rebuild a program and create a positive culture that promoted growth. My goal was to get the members of my team to believe in themselves, their teammates, their coaches, and the program. At Fort Lewis I was able to build a culture of grit & resilience. We formed our grit by developing student athletes who were on the roster and identifying new additions that wanted to help build their own legacy at FLC. Resilience was created by establishing mindsets that allowed us to use adversity as an opportunity to grow rather than as an excuse to lose.
• The UCCS softball program is within arm’s reach of greatness. I would be privileged to have the opportunity to be the next Head Softball Coach. I have a proven track record of helping develop student athletes academically and into young woman who become successful professionals. The foundation of my success has been built upon the ability to identify and recruit quality student athletes. Additionally, my personal belief is that every kid on my roster should be treated with dignity and respect. I have found the balance of being able to hold my kids to a high standard without belittling them, which has led to constant growth for the program, kids, and culture.
• This opportunity is particularly exciting because my experience and coaching philosophy will result in achieving the goals of the UCCS athletic department. I have no doubt that I will be the coach that will lead the program to become one of the top teams in the RMAC. I am confident that my experience coaching and recruiting along with the campus, resources, and support will allow me to achieve this. Thank you for your consideration.
• Respectfully
• Dwight Sanders