Steve Leverton to take over Heartland softball head coaching duties

[October 04, 2013]  NORMAL -- Heartland Community College head softball coach John Bassett has accepted a coaching position at Indiana University--Purdue University Fort Wayne. Three-year assistant coach Steve Leverton will assume the head coaching duties for the Hawks, effective immediately.

Bassett, who began coaching at Heartland in 2010, posted a 144-48 overall record. He helped the Hawks capture three M-WAC conference championships, securing the best record in Region 24 each of his three seasons. He has coached five all-Americans, 10 all-region players and 19 all-conference players.

"John contributed substantially to our success over the past three years, and we certainly wish him the best in this new chapter of his career," said Nate Metzger, athletics director for the college.

"We're excited to have Steve step up and take the reins of this nationally recognized program," Metzger continued. "This move will provide some continuity and familiarity for our current team, and help us evaluate the potential benefits for a longer-term appointment -- if, of course, it makes sense for both coach Leverton and for Heartland softball."

Leverton also has been with Heartland Community College for three years and has more than 30 years of coaching experience overall. For more than a decade, he's been with East Peoria Express Fastpitch, coaching 10-and-under and 18-and-under teams. Through the years, he has helped the Express teams win three national titles and five state titles, and has helped them to numerous final four appearances. Leverton also has helped develop numerous college athletes along the way and takes great pride in helping those same athletes settle into college, balancing academics and athletics successfully.

Leverton is a lifelong resident of East Peoria and resides there with his wife, Missy, and their five daughters. His favorite pastime is coaching his daughters in softball or basketball and being their biggest fan in the stands.

Heartland stormed onto the national softball scene in 2008, earning a bid to the national championship tournament in its inaugural year. In only the team's second year, the Hawks won the National Junior College Athletic Association's Division II national championship in 2009.

[Text from file received from Heartland Community College]

Heartland softball

For more information about Heartland Community College, visit www.heartland.edu.