| Email: | Lross@kckcc.edu |
| Title: | Head Coach |
| Phone: | 913-288-7356 |
Lana Ross (804-419) enters her eighth season at the helm of the Blue Devil Softball program, continuing to build on a legacy of excellence. In 2025, she guided the team to an impressive 43-17 record and a Runner-Up finish in the Region/Plains District Tournament. On May 3, 2025, Ross achieved a major career milestone, earning her 800th victory with a win over conference rival Coffeyville CC. In recognition of her remarkable achievements and lasting impact on the sport, Ross was inducted into the NJCAA Softball Hall of Fame—an honor that cements her status as one of the game’s most respected and influential coaches.
For the 2025 campaign the KJCCC named Sidney Sullivan, Alyssa Droge and Kylie Vandervoort to First Team All-Conference. Sidney Sullivan was also a NFCA 2nd Team All Region Selection and a NFCA 2nd Team All American. Alyssa Droge was selected as an NJCAA 3rd Team All-American. Kinlei Boley was awarded the Gold Glove for 1st Base. The Blue Devils placed 19 athletes on the KJCCC All-Academic Team, and those 19 athletes were also honored as NFCA All-America Scholar-Athletes. The Blue Devils earned another NJCAA Academic Team of the Year honor with 7 players on the 1st Team, 6 players on the 2nd Team and 4 players on the 3rd Team.
Lana Ross (761-402) is set to begin her seventh year as Head Coach for the Blue Devil Softball program. During the 2024 season Ross led the Blue Devils to a record of 36-20, collecting her 750th win on April 13 vs conference opponent Highland. The Blue Devil’s finished third at the KJCCC Regional Tournament. The KJCCC named Savannah Short and Kylie Vandervoort to First Team All KJCCC and Adrianna Smith, Alyssa Droge, Hannah Acree and Gabrielle King to Second Team. The Blue Devils placed 11 athletes on the KJCCC All-Academic Team and the same 11 were honored as NFCA All-America Scholar-Athletes. The Blue Devils also earned another NJCAA Academic Team of the Year honor with 5 players on the 1st Team, 2 players on the 2nd Team and 4 players on the 3rd Team.
During the 2023 campaign Ross had a record of 21-24. Left fielder Ruby Nola was a 1st Team All-Region Selection and received the Golden Glove Award for Left Field given by the NFCA. 15 members of the team were KJCCC All Academic selections and those same 15 members were also named to the NFCA All Scholar team. The team was also recognized as a top ten NFCA Academic Team finishing 3rd among all Junior Colleges. The Blue Devils were also named a NJCAA Academic team of the year.
Coach Ross had a stellar 4th year with the Blue Devils winning the District B Championship. The Blue Devils finished 7th at the NJCAA DII National Tournament. Ross also coached her 1000th career game, achieved 100 wins at KCKCC and earned 700 career wins with a first-round victory vs Johnson County at the KJCCC District Playoffs. Bradi Basler was named an NJCAA 1st Team All American and McKenna Lester was named to the 3rd team. Both Basler and Lester were NFCA 1st Team All Americans. 12 members of the squad were KJCCC All Academic selections and those same 12 players were also named to NFCA All Scholar team. Ten players received NJCAA Academic awards. The team was also recognized as a top ten NFCA Academic Team and an NJCAA Academic team of the year. Coach Ross was named KJCCC Coach of the Year and Plains B District Coach of the Year.
Coach Ross was named as the NJCAA Coaches Association President, she also serves on the NFCA All American Committee.
In Ross’ third year the Blue Devils were District B Runners Up and ended the season with a 41-15 record. Four members of the Blue Devils were named to All District B teams. Bradi Basler was a Second Team All-Conference Selection and was named Freshman of the Year. Basler was also an NJCAA All American. Fifteen members of the Blue Devils were named to the KJCCC All-Academic Team. The same 15 members were NFCA Scholar Athletes and 15 were NJCAA All Americans. The 2021 Blue Devils were an NJCAA Academic Team of the Year finishing 14th in the country.
The Blue Devils had a record of 7-7 during the shortened 2020 season. The 2020 Blue Devils were recognized as a NJCAA Academic Team of the Year. Ten players received NJCAA Academic honors.
Ross led the Blue Devils to a 38-20 record during the 2019 campaign. The Blue Devils were 12-8 in conference and were runner up in Region VI/District D Championship. The 2018-19 Team was named an NJCAA Academic Team of the Year finishing 23rd in the nation out of 135 teams. Ross earned her 600th career victory on April 11th vs Conference opponent Coffeyville CC with an 11-0 win.
Ross comes to Kansas City Kansas Community College with a wealth of experience. She was most recently the Head Coach at Fort Scott CC. Ross led the Greyhounds to one of the best seasons in the 30-year history of softball at Fort Scott CC. The team finished with a 28-22 overall record and her team finished as an NJCAA Academic Team of the Year. Under Ross’ leadership, the Greyhounds broke numerous team and individual records.
Prior to Fort Scott CC, Ross spent 13 seasons at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, IA. During her tenure at IWCC, she had a 545-238 record, and the team won five regional titles, three district titles, and made three appearances at the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) national tournament. Ross holds the Wins record at IWCC with 545 wins. Ross has had 8 years with 40 or more wins including 2 years of 50 or more.
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Ross has coached 72 First Team All-Region players, 53 Second Team All-Region players, 15 NJCAA All-Americans, 20 NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) All-Americans, 107 NJCAA Academic All-Americans, and 184 NFCA Academic All-Americans. For twenty consecutive years, her team has been recognized as the NFCA Academic Team of the Year. Ross is a five-time Region XI Coach of the Year. In 2013, she was recognized as the NFCA Coaching Staff of the Year. She was selected as the coach for the 2015 NJCAA All Star Team. Ross has been a member of the NFCA since 1999. Ross was named among the 2004-2005 Who's Who Among America's Teachers. She has also served as a keynote speaker for numerous leadership conventions. Coach Ross was selected as a Coach for the NJCAA All Star team in 2015 where they competed in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada in the prestigious Canadian Open.
Coach Ross is as competitive and intense as they come. Her philosophy of hard work and mental preparation has a great impact on her players. Her knowledge of the game and extensive experience is second to none. Ross attended Oklahoma City University and earned her bachelor’s degree in education. While at OCU, she was a member of the Chiefs softball team that won back-to-back national championships. Coach Ross played softball throughout Canada, Europe, and the
United States.
Coach Ross is the NJCAA Coaches Association President, and she serves on the NFCA All American Committee and the NFCA Gold Glove Committee. Coach Ross serves on the NFCA Board of Directors as the NJCAA Representative.
Ross’ Coaching Record Year by Year
2024-2025 KCKCC 43-17 Region VI/Plains District Runner-Up
2023-2024 KCKCC 36-20
2022-2023 KCKCC 21-24
2021-2022 KCKCC 45-16 District B Champions/KJCCC and District Coach of the year
2020-2021 KCKCC 41-15 District B Runner-Up
2019-2020 KCKCC 7-7 (shortened season due to Covid 19)
2018-2019 KCKCC 38-20 District D Runner-Up
2017-2018 FSCC 28-22
2014-2015 IWCC 43-18 Region XI Runner-Up
2013-2014 IWCC 39-20 Region XI Runner-Up
2012-2013 IWCC 42-14 Region XI Champions/District J Champions/Coach of the Year
2011-2012 IWCC 49-20 Region XI Champions/Coach of the Year
2010-2011 IWCC 49-14 Region XI Champions/District K Champions/Coach of the Year
2009-2010 IWCC 41-15 Region XI Runner Up
2008-2009 IWCC 41-20
2007-2008 IWCC 53-13 Region XI Champions/District K Champions/Coach of the Year
2006-2007 IWCC 38-25 Region XI Champions/Coach of the Year
2005-2006 IWCC 50-19 Region XI Runner Up
2004-2005 IWCC 41-20
2003-2004 IWCC 38-22 Region XI Runner Up
2002-2003 IWCC 21-18 Region XI Runner Up