Dec. 6, 2002

St. Petersburg, Fla. – South Carolina head softball coach Joyce Compton will be inducted into the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Hall of Fame on Fri., Dec. 6 at the NFCA National Convention held in St. Petersburg, Fla. Entering her 28th season as a head coach, Compton is South Carolina’s winningest coach and is the NFCA’s 27th inductee to the Hall of Fame. The Trenton, N.J. native has amassed a 943-364 record and a .721 winning percentage for her career.

Beginning in 1975, Compton has coached at Mattatuck Community College (1976-82), the University of Missouri (1983-86) and South Carolina (1987-present). In 16 years with the Gamecocks, Compton boasts a 735-268 record (.731 winning percentage) and has led USC to 10 NCAA tournament appearances, one SEC title, one SEC Tournament title, four SEC eastern division titles, and the Women’s College World Series twice (1989 and 1997). Compton also led Missouri to the WCWS in 1983.

Most recently named 2002 SEC Co-coach of the year, Compton has earned six NFCA regional coach of the year awards and was the SEC Coach of the Year in 1997. She recorded her 900th career victory this past season with a win over Georgia Southern on Feb. 13. Compton has coached 11 different Carolina players to All-America status for a total of 21 times, including Honda Award winner and 1997 SEC Female Athlete of the Year Trinity Johnson.

Prior to coaching, Compton played at Trenton State and for the Raybestos Brakettes where she participated in three national titles and one international title. Compton also played professionally for the Connecticut Falcons and won four championships. While with the Falcons, she was an all-star in 1978 as she batted .355 during the regular season and .300 in the World Series.

Once in the Hall of Fame, Compton will join the fellow members such as Linda Wells, the Greek National Coach, USA Olympic Coach and University of Arizona head coach Mike Candrea and Sharon Drysdale, director of National Fastpitch Coaches College.