North Carolina Wesleyan University
John Brackett enters his 33rd season as head softball coach at North Carolina Wesleyan University and fourteenth as Academic Advisor for the Department of Athletics. Prior to accepting his advising position, Brackett served as head women’s basketball coach for 20 seasons, and is currently the program’s all time’s winningest coach. During his time as head women’s basketball coach, Brackett won conference coach of the year three times, and led his teams to two conference titles as well as two NCAA Tournament appearances. To go along with his women’s basketball accolades, he also holds the career wins mark in softball, having recently eclipsed the 600-win mark in 2023.
In softball, Brackett was named Conference Coach of the Year in 1996 after leading the Battling Bishops to their third straight regular season conference championship. He went on to earn East Region Coach of the Year accolades in 1998 after helping Wesleyan to a program-best 31-13 overall record and the team’s first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance.
Brackett’s teams made it to the NCAA Regional Final in both 1998 and 1999 and narrowly missed the opportunity to compete in the College World Series. In 2006 and 2007, Brackett led NCWU to back-to-back 20-win seasons and coached the program’s first All-American selection in the form of Ashlee Bass. At the 2009 USA South Conference Tournament, his Bishops made their second semifinal appearance in four years. Most recently in 2021, the Lady Bishops won the East Division Tournament Championship before falling in the conference finals and just missing the opportunity to compete in the NCAA Tournament.
Brackett then earned 2019 USA South Coach of The Year for leading his team to a Regular Season East Division Championship with 20 wins and a 12-4 conference record.
Recently, in 2023 Brackett won his 600th game as a Battling Bishop which expands over a legendary women’s basketball and softball career. He also led Wesleyan to a remarkable 27 win campaign. In the fall of the same year, Coach Brackett inducted two legendary pitchers in Kristy Coull and Candace Hall. Both ladies set their mark on the softball program by being selected all-conference multiple times and an incredible win percentage.
A native of Mechanicsville, Virginia, Brackett is an alum of North Carolina Wesleyan. He graduated with a degree in Psychology in 1988 after a four-year career with the Bishop men’s basketball team. With over 25 years of service to the Department of Athletics, he became the 12th head coach to garner NCWU Hall of Fame induction in 2014 and the first to also call North Carolina Wesleyan his alma mater.
Brackett and his wife, Suzanne, have two children: Michael and Ashlee. The family currently resides in Rocky Mount.
SOFTBALL ACCOMPLISHMENTS UNDER JOHN BRACKETT
Conference Regular Season and/or Tournament Champions
1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2019, 2021
NCAA Tournament Regional Finalist
1998, 1999
Conference Runner-Up
1993, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2021
Regional Ranking
1997, 1998, 1999, 2019
National Ranking
1997, 1998, 1999
* Best Record: 31-13 (1998)
* Numerous players named All-Conference, All-Tournament, and All-Region
* Numerous players named Academic All-Conference
* One player named All-American (Ashlee Bass)
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John Brackett enters his 33rd season as head softball coach at North Carolina Wesleyan University and fourteenth as Academic Advisor for the Department of Athletics. Prior to accepting his advising position, Brackett served as head women’s basketball coach for 20 seasons, and is currently the program’s all time’s winningest coach. During his time as head women’s basketball coach, Brackett won conference coach of the year three times, and led his teams to two conference titles as well as two NCAA Tournament appearances. To go along with his women’s basketball accolades, he also holds the career wins mark in softball, having recently eclipsed the 600-win mark in 2023.
In softball, Brackett was named Conference Coach of the Year in 1996 after leading the Battling Bishops to their third straight regular season conference championship. He went on to earn East Region Coach of the Year accolades in 1998 after helping Wesleyan to a program-best 31-13 overall record and the team’s first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance.
Brackett’s teams made it to the NCAA Regional Final in both 1998 and 1999 and narrowly missed the opportunity to compete in the College World Series. In 2006 and 2007, Brackett led NCWU to back-to-back 20-win seasons and coached the program’s first All-American selection in the form of Ashlee Bass. At the 2009 USA South Conference Tournament, his Bishops made their second semifinal appearance in four years. Most recently in 2021, the Lady Bishops won the East Division Tournament Championship before falling in the conference finals and just missing the opportunity to compete in the NCAA Tournament.
Brackett then earned 2019 USA South Coach of The Year for leading his team to a Regular Season East Division Championship with 20 wins and a 12-4 conference record.
Recently, in 2023 Brackett won his 600th game as a Battling Bishop which expands over a legendary women’s basketball and softball career. He also led Wesleyan to a remarkable 27 win campaign. In the fall of the same year, Coach Brackett inducted two legendary pitchers in Kristy Coull and Candace Hall. Both ladies set their mark on the softball program by being selected all-conference multiple times and an incredible win percentage.
A native of Mechanicsville, Virginia, Brackett is an alum of North Carolina Wesleyan. He graduated with a degree in Psychology in 1988 after a four-year career with the Bishop men’s basketball team. With over 25 years of service to the Department of Athletics, he became the 12th head coach to garner NCWU Hall of Fame induction in 2014 and the first to also call North Carolina Wesleyan his alma mater.
Brackett and his wife, Suzanne, have two children: Michael and Ashlee. The family currently resides in Rocky Mount.
SOFTBALL ACCOMPLISHMENTS UNDER JOHN BRACKETT
Conference Regular Season and/or Tournament Champions
1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2019, 2021
NCAA Tournament Regional Finalist
1998, 1999
Conference Runner-Up
1993, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2021
Regional Ranking
1997, 1998, 1999, 2019
National Ranking
1997, 1998, 1999
* Best Record: 31-13 (1998)
* Numerous players named All-Conference, All-Tournament, and All-Region
* Numerous players named Academic All-Conference
* One player named All-American (Ashlee Bass)
Meredith Booth enters her third season as assistant coach with the North Carolina Wesleyan softball program.
After graduating in 2021 with a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and minor in history, she has returned to her alma mater and is thrilled to be working with our Battling Bishop hitters and infielders this season.
A native of Manteo, NC, Booth graduated from Manteo High School in 2016 where she was a three sport athlete playing volleyball, basketball and softball. She was named Conference Player of the Year in 2016 in high school.
Booth attended Div. II Chowan University on an athletic scholarship before transferring to NCWU in 2018 where she went on to start all three years at second base for the Bishops. She was also a part of the 2019 East Division 20-win Champion squad and helped the 2021 team achieve 20 wins and advance all the way to the conference tournament title game.
Recently, in the winter of 2023 Booth earned her Masters Degree in Criminal Justice from NCWU and will also lead all camps for the softball program.
Booth has experience as an assistant coach at Manteo Middle school in 2017, as well as some travel ball coaching, camps, and private lessons.
Beth Braswell enters her first season as a pitching coach for the softball program. One of the most proficient pitchers in Wesleyan history, Braswell was named Team MVP in 2019 along with being selected as the conference’s pitcher of the year. In 2021, she was named All-Atlantic Region and first team all-conference while being selected academic all-conference as well.
She also gives softball lessons.
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3204 Bishop Rd, Rocky Mount, NC
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North Carolina Wesleyan University
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Who can participate in North Carolina Wesleyan Softball Camps?
Our camps are open to all basketball players, regardless of skill level, age, grade level, or gender. We welcome beginners looking to learn the game as well as advanced players seeking to enhance their skills.
Who are the instructors at the North Carolina Wesleyan Softball Camps?
Our camps boast a highly qualified and experienced coaching staff. Instructors include North Carolina Wesleyan Coaches, and current North Carolina Wesleyan Players. This ensures that participants receive top-notch instruction from experts who are dedicated to fostering the growth and development of young athletes.
What safety measures are in place during the North Carolina Wesleyan Softball Camps?
The safety of our campers is of utmost importance to us. We maintain a safe and secure environment by adhering to all necessary health and safety guidelines. Our staff is trained to provide proper supervision and ensure that all equipment is in good condition.
How can I register my child for the North Carolina Wesleyan Softball Camps?
Registration for our camps can be completed online through Play’n Sports software. The registration process will require basic information about your child, such as name, age/grade, emergency contact details, and any medical considerations. Specific instructions and registration deadlines will be available on the camp website.