VESTAL, N.Y. -- One of the top softball players during Binghamton's NCAA Division I era is coming back to campus.

Jessica Bump, a 2014 graduate, has been named the Bearcats' top assistant coach. She arrives back at Binghamton following a standout playing career as well as a pair of seasons in the college coaching ranks.

"I am excited to announce Jessica Bump will be returning to Binghamton as assistant coach," head coach Michelle Burrell said. "Jessica made such a positive impact as a student-athlete at Binghamton and I know she will continue to do the same as a coach."

"I would like to thank (Director of Athletics) Patrick Elliott and Michelle Burrell for giving me this incredible opportunity," Bump said. "Not only do I return to my alma mater but also to my hometown."  

Most recently, Bump was at Lafayette College, where she was the top assistant softball coach in 2016. The Leopards more than tripled their win total (from four to 13), improved their batting average by 26 points (.219 to .245) and broke the program record with a .967 fielding percentage. In addition, the squad set the program mark with a 3.52 GPA during the fall 2015 semester and topped it with a 3.58 GPA this past spring.

Prior to her stint at Lafayette, Bump was the graduate assistant coach at Kentucky during the 2015 season. She was part of a staff that steered the Wildcats to an appearance in the NCAA Super Regionals against eventual national champion Florida.

"Jessica has gained invaluable experience the last two years at Kentucky and Lafayette," Burrell said. "I couldn't be more excited for her leadership and coaching experience to be returning to our university, athletic department and softball program."

"I feel my experiences in the Patriot League and the SEC have prepared me to come back to Binghamton," Bump said. "I want to help the program reach new heights and consistently compete for America East championships."

During her undergraduate career, Bump was a two-time, first-team America East all-conference selection (2013 & 2014) and a first-team ECAC All-Star in 2013. In 2013, she was named the Binghamton University Co-Female Athlete of the Year as well as the America East Scholar Athlete of the Year. In addition, Bump was a three-time National Fastpitch Coaches' Association (NFCA) Scholar-Athlete and was inducted into the National College Athlete Honor Society in 2012.

Burrell, who was named the America East Coach of the Year this past season, was hired by Binghamton in the summer of 2009 and Bump was part of her first recruiting class. She recruited Bump from nearby Windsor High School, where she was named all-state twice by the New York State Sports Writers Association (NYSSWA) and graduated in 2010.

"I am very excited to be able to reconnect with Michelle and Binghamton softball," Bump said. "It's a chance to give back to the program that gave me the greatest college experience."

Binghamton finished 34-15 in 2016 and won its first-ever America East regular-season title. The previous year, the Bearcats won the conference tournament and advanced to the NCAA Division I Tournament for the first time in program history.

 
TRANSACTION

Binghamton University – Jessica Bump named assistant softball coach