John Lawson is entering his 14^th year as hitting coach with the WCU Softball staff. His core belief is that the process takes care of the outcome. Every player can improve their skill set, and every player can be motivated toward that improvement, given the proper tools, coaching, and learning environment.
 
His players’ statistics over the years speak for themselves, and he remains an integral part of WCU’s team success.  Since 2018, WCU has gained recognition three times as NFCA Atlantic Region Coaching Staff of the Year. With the help of Lawson, West Chester has missed the PSAC Tournament just once since 2009, hoisted its first PSAC Tournament Championship in 2017 before winning again in 2021 and has captured four Atlantic Regional Championships, including three in a row from 2018-2021.
 
Under his tutelage, West Chester has led the league in hitting in each of the last three seasons and five times in the last eight years (2016, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022) while ranking in the top five in the league in hitting in 2017 and 2019.
 
Lawson has helped mentor some of the best hitters in program history, including the likes of WCU and PSAC career hits leader and two-time All-American Bri Garber, RBI leader Cat Hammer, Erin MacNamee, who Garber passed for the career hits record in 2021, All-American Madison Melvin, Emily Maseth, Alyssa Herion, Heidi McCollester and many others throughout his time with the Golden Rams.
 
Lawson is certified in Dartfish Video Analysis and V1 Sports Pro Analysis, and actively uses these technical tools with WCU players during practice, clinics, and individual lessons. He has worked and studied with Mike Epstein Hitting, and is certified as an Epstein Instructor.
 
Prior to joining WCU, Coach Lawson worked at the university level as an athletic trainer. He’s also worked in the public and private business sector as a consultant and account executive. For the last 20 years, Lawson has dedicated himself to the game of softball as a travel team coach, private hitting instructor, and guest hitting instructor at many baseball and softball clinics.