Central Arkansas has officially promoted Kayla Lucas to head softball coach, marking a new chapter for the Bears as they look to build on recent successes in the ASUN Conference, according to an announcement from athletics director Matt Whiting.

Lucas, a Marion, Ark., native, becomes the fifth head coach in program history after serving as a key assistant for the past five seasons, including four as a full-time staff member.

Lucas’s roots in Arkansas and her deep ties to the UCA program made her a natural choice for the position.

Since joining the Bears’ staff in 2021, Lucas has played a pivotal role in recruiting and developing talent, both in the field and at the plate.

Her efforts have contributed to UCA’s emergence as a perennial contender in the ASUN, with the team securing a top-three seed every year since joining the conference and consistently ranking among the nation’s best in fielding percentage.

“Coach Kayla Lucas has been involved with our softball program since 2021,” Whiting said. “Not only is she very familiar with the University and program, she has been instrumental in some of our softball program’s greatest accomplishments.

“I am excited to elevate Kayla to the role of Head Coach and look forward to working with her to continue advancing Central Arkansas Softball to new heights.”

During Lucas’s tenure as an assistant, the Bears have posted an impressive 173 wins over five seasons, highlighted by the 2023 ASUN regular season and tournament championships.

That season, UCA set a program record with 45 wins and clinched its first NCAA Regional victory, defeating Long Island University in the Tuscaloosa Regional.

The Bears also recorded the fifth-best fielding percentage in the nation and boasted the third-lowest team ERA, reflecting Lucas’s influence on defensive development.

Lucas’s coaching has also produced individual accolades: under her guidance, 28 athletes have earned All-ASUN honors, and the Bears have celebrated three consecutive ASUN Defensive Players of the Year.

Notably, freshman Addie Graham was named First Team All-ASUN and ASUN Freshman of the Year, one of four freshmen who started full-time in 2024, signaling a bright future for the program.

Lucas’s coaching journey began prior to UCA, with a successful five-year stint as head coach at Young Harris College.

There, she led the Mountain Lions to four NCAA Division II National Tournaments, including a championship game appearance in 2019 and a program-best 44 wins.Her teams were consistently recognized for academic and athletic excellence, with numerous players earning all-conference and academic honors.

A graduate of Central Baptist College, Lucas also holds a master’s degree in Exercise Science/Human Performance from Georgia College and State University.

Her academic background complements her commitment to developing well-rounded student-athletes.

“I am both honored and humbled to accept this position and remain at UCA. I want to thank Matt Whiting for the confidence and trust to continue the success of our program,” Lucas said. “I also want to thank Jenny Parsons and Dave Kuhn for bringing me in and trusting me.

“Without your support and love, I wouldn’t have this opportunity. I look forward to adding onto the foundation that has made this program successful and continuing to build the Central Arkansas legacy.”

With seven returning full-time starters and a talented bench, Lucas and the Bears are poised to remain competitive in the ASUN for years to come.

Her experience, leadership, and familiarity with the program position UCA softball for sustained success.

After more than three decades in collegiate softball, Jenny Parsons has announced her retirement as head coach of Central Arkansas’ softball program.

Parsons, who spent 14 years in Conway-including the past four as head coach-leaves behind a legacy that will resonate for years to come.

Her tenure at UCA included 136 wins as head coach, culminating in a career total of 305 head coaching victories across her time at both Nicholls and Central Arkansas. Under her leadership, the Bears experienced a golden era, highlighted by:

• The 2022 ASUN West title
• The 2023 ASUN regular season and tournament championships
• The program’s first-ever NCAA Regional win, defeating Long Island in the Tuscaloosa Regional

Sweeping in-state rival Arkansas in 2023, including a 2-1 win in Fayetteville and a 4-0 shutout at Farris Field before a record crowd of 2,475 fans.

Parsons’ commitment to player development was evident, with 28 ASUN All-Conference athletes coached under her watch, including three consecutive ASUN Defensive Players of the Year and a Pitcher of the Year. Her efforts were recognized when she was named the unanimous ASUN Coach of the Year and Extra Inning Softball’s Mid-Major Head Coach of the Year after leading the Bears to a program-record 45 wins in 2023.

Reflecting on her time at UCA, Parsons expressed deep gratitude:
“There are so many people to thank, I’ve loved my time here in Conway,” Parsons said in a story at UCASports.com. “Thank you to Dave Kuhn for bringing me to Conway.

“Thank you to Dr. Brad Teague and Matt Whiting for believing in me and supporting this program. To every assistant coach, support staff member, every player, fan and supporter, thank you for all the time and support you’ve given to me and this team.

“I have enjoyed every day here, and I believe that we built a great program here, we won a lot of games, and I think we did it the right way. I’ve loved this place for 14 years, but it’s time for me to be closer to my family and enter the private sector, and I’m excited about the future, not only for me, but for this team as well.”

Before leading UCA, Parsons was an assistant coach for a decade, contributing to 440 of the Bears’ 749 program wins.

Her coaching journey also included a successful stint at Nicholls, where she led the Colonels to four postseason appearances and a Southland Conference Tournament Championship game in 2008.

As an assistant at East Carolina, her pitching expertise helped set school records and secure the program’s first conference title and NCAA Tournament bid. Parsons is a 2016 East Carolina University Hall of Fame inductee, recognized for her outstanding playing and coaching contributions.

“Coach Parsons has been a mainstay in our softball program for the last 14 years, and her leadership as head coach since 2021 has brought about many great accomplishments and memories for the program,” UCA athletics director Matt Whiting said.

“I know this decision has weighed on her heavily, but I also know she is excited about this next chapter and the opportunity to be closer to family.

“Because of that, I am excited for Jenny and very thankful for all that she has done for our program, department, and University. We will begin a search for the next leader our softball program immediately.”

OXFORD, Ala. — Central Arkansas ended its season on Thursday, falling to Stetson in the final six.

The loss caps 2025 with a 28-27 record for the Bears.

UCA struggled to get the bats going, recording only four hits scattered across the five innings as the Bears fell 10-1.

Meanwhile, Stetson was able to pair multiple at bats in multiple innings to build a lead.

The Bears loaded the bases in each of the first two innings, but couldn’t plate anything in the first.

Stetson scored three in the second to take a lead, and UCA went to work to try to change the rhythm of the game in the bottom of the frame. LJ Smith put down a two-out single, stretching the inning.

Kylie Griffin walked, and Addie Graham singled to load the bases. Madi Young took four-straight pitches to draw a walk, scoring Smith from third to get the Bears on the board.

But after the second, Stetson’s bats continued to find gaps, whereas the Bears’ bats continued to find gloves.

Stetson nickeled and dimed to runs in each of the third, fourth and fifth innings to stretch the lead, and UCA wasn’t able to muster a comeback.

Thursday’s decision ended the storied careers of Griffin, Young and Julia Petty, who helped UCA to two-straight top-three finishes in the ASUN, and for Young and Griffin, 2023 ASUN regular season and tournament championships.