Lee University

Lee University Flames Athletics
PO Box 3450 - 1120 North Ocoee Street Cleveland, TN 37320

Division 2 Tennessee Southeast

Private Small Competitive team

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Coaches

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Emily Russell

Coach Russell enters her 23rd year as head coach of the Lady Flames. Her tenure ranks No. 1 on the entire Lee athletic coaching staff. She has proven to be a winner, just like she was as a record-setting pitcher for the Lee University softball team 26 seasons ago. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Lee, as well as a Master of Arts in Teaching from Lee.

Already the winningest coach in the history of Lee softball, Coach Russell reached a major milestone in her career on April 15 (2023) when the Lady Flames defeated longtime rival Union University 7-0 for her 700th win. Her overall record stands at 724 wins against 430 defeats and one tie. She has directed her teams to six seasons of 40 or more wins, two of those with more than 50 wins.

The Lady Flames had four hitters post batting averages of over .300 as Russell’s club finished the 2024 season with a 20-27 mark and 14-16 in the rugged GSC. Juniors Alexa Scalzo and Javaria Smith led the way with .384 averages. Scalzo was also tops on the club with 61 hits and scoring 56 runs. She also stole 32 bases in 33 attempts. Smith had a team-leading 41 RBI.

Coach Russell will miss one of last season’s seniors, Laney Harris batted .362 with a team-leading nine homers.

Freshman Hailey Somco was named Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Year. A true utility player, she was used as an outfielder, catcher, and a designated player. Hailey paced the team with 16 doubles and carried a .294 batting average.

The 2023 year saw her team drop several games in the last innings and finish the season at 15-34. A pair of promising sophomores received honors. Sidney Lee earned a spot on the All-GSC team for the second consecutive year and Ana Macha received the same reward. In fact, there were only three seniors on the 2023 roster.

The 2022 club completed the season with a 29-23 record and were 17-12 against rugged Gulf South Conference opponents. The Lady Flames made their deepest run-ever in the GSC tournament, falling to Alabama Huntsville in the semifinal round. Taylor De Adder and Sidney Lee earned spots on the NCAA DII All-South Region and All-GSC teams while Javaria Smith was named the GSC Freshman of the Year. She was joined on the All-GSC team by Nyah Vogel and Bre Patton.

The Lady Flames finished the 2021 season with a 17-23 overall mark and 14-16 in GSC play. Kayla Louie and Taylor De Adder were named All-GSC Second Team.

The 2020 season suddenly ended when the NCAA ordered play halted due to the Covid19 virus. The season closed with the Lady Flames holding a 13-10 overall mark and standing 4-5 in the Gulf South Conference standing.

In 2019 her Lady Flames were forced to battle an unusual number of injuries to key players and finished at 22-31 overall and 10-19 in Gulf South Conference play. During the 2018 year her club posted a 28-28 mark.

In 2017, Russell's club ended with a 36-20 mark and advanced all the way to the NCAA South Super Regional before falling to No. 5 and fellow Gulf South Conference member West Florida. It was the first trip to the NCAA Championship stage in program history.

The Lady Flames ended the record-setting season ranked No. 15 in the final NFCA Top 25 poll, marking their first ever NCAA ranking. Lee won the South Region 2 Bracket with three straight victories over GSC rivals. The Lady Flames defeated Alabama Huntsville (7-4) and defending national champion North Alabama twice (4-2, 3-2) to advance on as one of the final 16 teams in the NCAA D2 National Tournament.

In 2015 the Lady Flames finished 36-19 and 18-11 in the Gulf South Conference. Lee won the NCCAA Mid-East Region Tournament and finished third in the NCCAA World Series. For the third straight year Russell coached the national player of the year as Kaylie Drew won the honor (NCCAA) after smashing 18 home runs for the Lady Flames.

Russell led the Lady Flames into NCAA Division II and the Gulf South Conference in 2014. Lee finished with a record of 25-24 and had a conference mark of 13-14. Russell coached the NCCAA Player of the Year in Ana Coscorrosa. The power hitting Venezuelan set school career marks in batting average (.451), RBI (231) and hits (275).

In 2010, Russell's Lady Flames earned a 57-5 record, finishing as the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) regular season and tournament champions, on their way to a No. 2 NAIA National Ranking.

That same year, the Lee ladies also competed in the NAIA National Tournament for the first time since 2007, their sixth trip overall. For their outstanding season, Coach Russell was named the SSAC Coach of the Year.

Russell directed the Lady Flames to the SSAC regular season and tournament crowns in 2006, finishing the season with a sparkling record of 55-14. The 2005 Lady Flames finished second in the SSAC regular season, third in the SSAC tournament, and fourth in the NAIA Region XIII Tournament.

In 2004, Coach Russell led her team to the school's first TranSouth Tournament Championship, an NAIA Region XI championship, and the program's third trip to the NAIA National Tournament. For their success, Russell and her staff were named the 2004 NAIA-Softball Coaches Association's Coaching Staff of the Year.

While pitching at Lee, Russell hurled an amazing 305 innings during the 2000 season. She struck out 194 hitters in those 305 innings, at that time a school record. After her playing days for the Lady Flames, she traveled to Europe and pitched professionally for two summers.

The Lee coach makes her home in Cleveland and is married to Sean Russell. The couple has two sons, Tyson, and Carson.

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Kelly Golden-Neer

Coach Golden-Neer begins her first year as assistant coach for head coach Emily Russell. As a former Lady Flame, she was twice named NAIA All-SSAC, All-Region XIII and 2nd Team NAIA All-American.

In 2006 she scored 52 runs and had 61 runs batted in in 69 games; had a .425 batting average; and finished her career with 27 career home runs. The 2006 team advanced to Final 8 of NAIA National Tournament for first time. Voted to the Lee Athletic Hall of Fame (2012).

Golden-Neer attended Lee University for two years (2004-2006) and earned a degree in Bachelor of Science. Before Lee she attended Lake City Community College (Fla.) (1998-2002) and received an Associate of Arts degree.

Her coaching career began at Lake Sumter Community College (2007- 2011) where she served as head coach and sports information director.

During the same period (2006 – 2009), she was the Activities Coordinator, professional fastpitch x-treme tour, performed registration for College Showcase Skills Clinic and Learn from The Pro’s Player’s Clinic, and hosted autograph sessions. Golden-Neer was the Assistant National Site Director- Planning, set-up/takedown at each location/city.

She began her long tenure with Montverde Academy (2011-July 2024) wearing many hats, including, Elementary PE Teacher, Softball and Golf Coach.

From (2011-2015) Golden-Neer served as the assistant softball coach under Dot Richardson. She oversaw the infielders, hitting and was a key part of two teams that were State Runner-Ups.

Her husband Jeremy plans to join her and settle in Cleveland. She has two step-children, Grace, and Gavin.

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Jessica McIntyre

Jessica McIntyre enters her ninth season in 2025 as an assistant softball coach for the Lee Lady Flames.

She is a 2009 graduate of the University of Mobile with a double major in Sport Administration and Human Performance Exercise Science. While at Mobile she was a member of the softball team from 2004-2008. The Rams won the NAIA National Championship in 2006 and were National Championship Runner-Up in 2008. McIntyre was named to the GCAC All-Conference and All-Region team in 2007. She was awarded the NAIA Champion of Character Award in 2008 and was an NAIA Academic All-American from 2007-2008.

McIntyre received her master’s degree in Sport Administration from Belmont University in 2012. While completing her degree she served as a Compliance Intern where she composed waivers as necessary, researched and provided rules interpretations to coaches and athletic staff and maintained and regulated practice hours for each sport.

In addition to her coaching responsibilities McIntyre also serves as the Deputy Athletic Director (Senior Woman Administrator) for the Lee Athletic Department.