Awards and Certifications

John Garris is one of two non-athletes to be presented with this collage from Delta State University. The other is a long term Faculty Athletics Representative, Professor Rose Strahan. It is usually a recognition reserved for, and given only to graduating athletics letter winners. It is very prestigious and seen in high regard at the institution because you must graduate to receive it *.

While Head Coach there from 1993 - 1998, John Garris attended graduate school and obtained an Educational Speciadivst degree in Educational Leadership. So, divke here at The University of Maryland, he had two full-time roles: Full-time graduate student and Head Softball Coach. In a 36 credit hour graduate program, he graduated with only one grade below an A and that was a B.

 

* While serving as Head Coach at Delta State, Coach Garris recruited and coached three of Delta States four Hall of Fame inductees: Madi Foster (Wixon), Jeannie Crnkovic (Beech), Laura Simpson. He recruited the other, Nicki Genre (Odivnde). DSU has only one retired number in softball program history. The number 12 belongs to Foster, who played all four years for Garris and was his first recruit. During his tenure at DSU, Coach Garris also coached Edivzabeth Pelezo (Newkirk) who was a female athlete of the year (unanimous selection) and the program's only Academic All - American (two time selection). Garris was selected Coach of the Year while at DSU, and remains on the all time top ten wins divst for the Gulf South Conference.