Leah Bennett
Played: Florida State University
Current Job: Head Softball and Volleyball Coach at Trinity Baptist College
Owner, Florida Select Organization
Positions: Outfield, Utility
Lbonz15@aol.com
850-559-3908
Accomplishments Include:
18+ years of coaching experience
FACA Coach of the Year
FACA Player of the Year
FHSAA Player of the Year
FSU Alumni
Centerfielder, FSU
First Team All-State and All-Conference
Led Region in High School for 3 years with Stolen Bases and Batting Average
MVP Outfield
Coaches Award
MVP Tournament Honors for World Series
Best Offensive Player
Leah Armstrong Award
Tell us about your history with softball.
I started playing softball when I was 2 years old. My grandfather tried to teach me how to golf but realized that I held the club like a softball bat and it changed my life forever. I practiced everyday in the backyard with him learning how to steal bases, bunt and hit. I started attending Episcopal High School and began playing Varsity in the seventh grade. I was an infielder who hit right handed in the number 4 spot. In eighth grade, my high school coach decided that she was going to change everything about me and turn me into one of the first high school slappers in Jacksonville. She told me that she wanted to turn me into a "lefty" and make me an outfielder. I thought she hated me because she wanted to change everything but she asked me to trust her. I did, and began to work harder at perfecting something I knew nothing about. During that year, all I did was drag bunt.
During my freshman year, I began slapping, and by 10th grade, I had broken every record in Florida for batting averages and stolen bases. Throughout my softball career, I have never fallen below a .500 batting average. I led the district and region in batting average, with my highest ever being over .700 for the season, starting in 9th grade and held that record throughout high school. I also led the district and region in stolen bases (52). My senior year I was given the "Leah Armstrong Award." This award is incredibly humbling and is given out annually to the kid who shows the most dedication and heart for the Episcopal Softball program. I could continue to list many different awards but that is boring compared to the amazing opportunity I have had to impact kids lives. Everyday I get to get up and go to a job that I love, which is something that many people don't get the opportunity to say.
After graduating, I earned my scholarship with Florida State University and became an outfielder for the Seminoles. Everything I had worked so hard for in my career was finally happening and the dream I had always had finally came true! I remember putting on the uniform for the first time, scoring my first run, getting my first hit and seeing my name in lights for the first time. There were so many amazing things about this experience and I am grateful to say that I am one of the few that was chosen to play Division 1 softball and I will forever bleed Garnet and Gold.
What made you decide to become a coach?
After my time playing I really felt like God was calling me to become a coach. I hung up my cleats and started coaching at Lincoln High School in Tallahassee, FL. I coached there for four years and then went to North Florida Christian where I coached for another 4 years. I was fortunate enough to receive the FACA Coach of the Year Award 2 years in a row for turning that program around. During my time at North Florida Christian I started coaching travel ball for an 18U Gold team, the Tallahassee Bullets. Over the 5 years any girl who wanted a scholarship earned one and I left with a 100% signing ratio. During this time I also got married to my best friend Riley Bennett. He is still the best thing that has ever happened to me.
Soon after Riley graduated with his master's degree, he got a job in North Carolina working for the Department of Defense. We moved there, and I started coaching at a high school. After a year of working, I was offered a job working for the Marine Corps. I was a civilian trainer and got the opportunity to serve my country by training the Marines to be prepared for deployment. I loved my job; it was still by far one of my most rewarding jobs I have ever done. After two years of working for the Marines, we got a transfer back home to Jacksonville. I was an assistant coach at Florida State College of Jacksonville for 3 years and then was asked to become a coach at Flagler College. This was such an amazing opportunity to be a Division 2 coach but halfway through the year my grandfather passed away (yes the one who taught me everything about softball). This hit my family incredibly hard and I have decided to take some time off to be with my family and raise my beautiful daughters with my husband for a couple of years. After enjoying some much needed snuggle time with my little ones, I am now the head softball and volleyball coach at Trinity Baptist College. I love that they have Christian values and are not afraid to speak the truth into the lives of young adults that so badly need Jesus in this world. They are incredibly family friendly and I love that I am able to help build two programs from the ground up.
What are some important things for players and parents to know about you?
My life has been a whirlwind that is for sure. I love coaching and have been a coach now for over 18 years. I am hard headed, determined, and passionate. I will always fight for the things and people I believe in. I am a firm believer in Jesus Christ and will never waiver on that fact.
I am now coaching with some of my former players for Select. We are goofy, crazy, we laugh really loudly and have the best time ever coaching together. To play for us you need to be in love with this sport. We will push you mentally and physically beyond what you feel you can do, all while making you laugh hysterically.
It is important to know that, besides God, my husband Riley,my beautiful daughters, family and friends, I love Sweet tea, Mexican food and Mariah Carey. I also love my two black cats Cage and Oreo so much! I have a tendency to combine phrases and words, I trip on my own two feet, and I love to sing, dance and generally be crazy at all times.
Though I am no longer on the field for Select, I have an amazing crew of individuals who love this organization and work tirelessly to help your daughter succeed and get her dreams. Thank you for reading this and thank you for choosing the best organization out there!
Go Select!
Played: Florida State University
Current Job: Head Softball and Volleyball Coach at Trinity Baptist College
Owner, Florida Select Organization
Positions: Outfield, Utility
Lbonz15@aol.com
850-559-3908
Accomplishments Include:
18+ years of coaching experience
FACA Coach of the Year
FACA Player of the Year
FHSAA Player of the Year
FSU Alumni
Centerfielder, FSU
First Team All-State and All-Conference
Led Region in High School for 3 years with Stolen Bases and Batting Average
MVP Outfield
Coaches Award
MVP Tournament Honors for World Series
Best Offensive Player
Leah Armstrong Award
Tell us about your history with softball.
I started playing softball when I was 2 years old. My grandfather tried to teach me how to golf but realized that I held the club like a softball bat and it changed my life forever. I practiced everyday in the backyard with him learning how to steal bases, bunt and hit. I started attending Episcopal High School and began playing Varsity in the seventh grade. I was an infielder who hit right handed in the number 4 spot. In eighth grade, my high school coach decided that she was going to change everything about me and turn me into one of the first high school slappers in Jacksonville. She told me that she wanted to turn me into a "lefty" and make me an outfielder. I thought she hated me because she wanted to change everything but she asked me to trust her. I did, and began to work harder at perfecting something I knew nothing about. During that year, all I did was drag bunt.
During my freshman year, I began slapping, and by 10th grade, I had broken every record in Florida for batting averages and stolen bases. Throughout my softball career, I have never fallen below a .500 batting average. I led the district and region in batting average, with my highest ever being over .700 for the season, starting in 9th grade and held that record throughout high school. I also led the district and region in stolen bases (52). My senior year I was given the "Leah Armstrong Award." This award is incredibly humbling and is given out annually to the kid who shows the most dedication and heart for the Episcopal Softball program. I could continue to list many different awards but that is boring compared to the amazing opportunity I have had to impact kids lives. Everyday I get to get up and go to a job that I love, which is something that many people don't get the opportunity to say.
After graduating, I earned my scholarship with Florida State University and became an outfielder for the Seminoles. Everything I had worked so hard for in my career was finally happening and the dream I had always had finally came true! I remember putting on the uniform for the first time, scoring my first run, getting my first hit and seeing my name in lights for the first time. There were so many amazing things about this experience and I am grateful to say that I am one of the few that was chosen to play Division 1 softball and I will forever bleed Garnet and Gold.
What made you decide to become a coach?
After my time playing I really felt like God was calling me to become a coach. I hung up my cleats and started coaching at Lincoln High School in Tallahassee, FL. I coached there for four years and then went to North Florida Christian where I coached for another 4 years. I was fortunate enough to receive the FACA Coach of the Year Award 2 years in a row for turning that program around. During my time at North Florida Christian I started coaching travel ball for an 18U Gold team, the Tallahassee Bullets. Over the 5 years any girl who wanted a scholarship earned one and I left with a 100% signing ratio. During this time I also got married to my best friend Riley Bennett. He is still the best thing that has ever happened to me.
Soon after Riley graduated with his master's degree, he got a job in North Carolina working for the Department of Defense. We moved there, and I started coaching at a high school. After a year of working, I was offered a job working for the Marine Corps. I was a civilian trainer and got the opportunity to serve my country by training the Marines to be prepared for deployment. I loved my job; it was still by far one of my most rewarding jobs I have ever done. After two years of working for the Marines, we got a transfer back home to Jacksonville. I was an assistant coach at Florida State College of Jacksonville for 3 years and then was asked to become a coach at Flagler College. This was such an amazing opportunity to be a Division 2 coach but halfway through the year my grandfather passed away (yes the one who taught me everything about softball). This hit my family incredibly hard and I have decided to take some time off to be with my family and raise my beautiful daughters with my husband for a couple of years. After enjoying some much needed snuggle time with my little ones, I am now the head softball and volleyball coach at Trinity Baptist College. I love that they have Christian values and are not afraid to speak the truth into the lives of young adults that so badly need Jesus in this world. They are incredibly family friendly and I love that I am able to help build two programs from the ground up.
What are some important things for players and parents to know about you?
My life has been a whirlwind that is for sure. I love coaching and have been a coach now for over 18 years. I am hard headed, determined, and passionate. I will always fight for the things and people I believe in. I am a firm believer in Jesus Christ and will never waiver on that fact.
I am now coaching with some of my former players for Select. We are goofy, crazy, we laugh really loudly and have the best time ever coaching together. To play for us you need to be in love with this sport. We will push you mentally and physically beyond what you feel you can do, all while making you laugh hysterically.
It is important to know that, besides God, my husband Riley,my beautiful daughters, family and friends, I love Sweet tea, Mexican food and Mariah Carey. I also love my two black cats Cage and Oreo so much! I have a tendency to combine phrases and words, I trip on my own two feet, and I love to sing, dance and generally be crazy at all times.
Though I am no longer on the field for Select, I have an amazing crew of individuals who love this organization and work tirelessly to help your daughter succeed and get her dreams. Thank you for reading this and thank you for choosing the best organization out there!
Go Select!
