May 3, 2020


Who is Coach P?
Hi there! As some of you may not know, my name is Simone Patterson, but the girls call me Coach P. I am in my second season with the Washburn Softball Program, as a part of their coaching staff. I work mainly with the outfielders, focusing on explosion, footwork, and quick release. I was an outfielder myself as a collegiate athlete at Butler Community College, and Southeast Missouri State University, which is why this coaching position is close to my heart. At the beginning of my coaching career I coached alongside Aryn McCoy at my alma mater Topeka High School. I was head of the Junior Varsity squad for three seasons, before being recruited to Washburn University. Softball has always been a part of my life, as I have been playing a mix of fastpitch and slow pitch for going on 24 years. Life without the girls at Washburn has been a roller coaster filled with emotions. I truly believe that seeing and interacting with the team everyday acted as a stress reliever and gave me the opportunity to change lives.

Being an Essential Staff
My primary job is working as an Operations Manager at Target Distribution Center, where our mission is, “To help all families discover the joy of everyday life.” Being a part of a business family that has such a rich culture in “togetherness”, is crucial in days like today, where it’s easy to lose hope, stress, struggle, and worry about the future. Though I am not in the medical field providing direct care to those who have been affected by this virus the most, I am blessed that the company I put 100% of myself into every week, is providing the products of everyday life for our community to carry on. A lot of us have been affected in a negative way with loss of income, but God has truly blessed me with a way of life where I can care for myself AND others around me. We all have a purpose in life, and helping others is mine. If you are an essential staff, you understand the underlying joy of risking your life in order to save another’s, and though my role is small, its monumental. Covid-19 has definitely hit us with unprecedented times, but finding the positives in standing #AloneTogether will get us through.

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