Stanton’s Values Based Decision
In case you haven’t heard the news yet, the Bandits will have a new head coach as they move into season two of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League. Shonda Stanton, the current Indiana Hoosiers Head Softball Coach, brings a long history of Division I success to the role, and some past professional softball experience.
Before her time at Indiana, Stanton spent 18 seasons at Marshall and collected 560 wins, including coaching Morgan Zerkle during her collegiate career. Now, years later, she gets the chance to coach Zerkle again at the professional level, something Chuckie Kempf pointed out at the beginning of today’s media availability.
“Boy, has she built the engine. You know, you show someone that when you work on your body, what that can translate to the field. She is proof of that and she gets better and better every year,” Stanton said.
“So I’m proud to have coached her at a young age and I’m proud to come full circle. I look forward to see what she can teach me. You know, the student has become the master, she said.”
The passion from Stanton is obvious. This is an opportunity she was not going to turn away. The AUSL continues to stand at the front of the professional softball landscape. Many have spoken about the league’s professionalism and support, something the sport has been missing for a long time.
Stanton echoed that same feeling, and when the call came from Jenny Dalton-Hill, it did not take long for her to accept. Shonda called it a “values based decision” and praised Dalton-Hill’s mission and leadership.
“I just align with Jenny and her mission. I’m in this profession to coach because I believe in empowering and equipping young women, and then, you know, Jenny obviously continues to give back to our sport,” she said. “She has the passion. So when I think, you know, in terms of a value based decision, I made a darn good one.”
Later on she came full on with the value and strength of the league, and this is a model that looks to stand for a long time.
“They’re providing opportunities for the next generation. So the innovation just continues to develop. So, when you put that all together and you tie a ribbon on it, it comes down from the top down. You know, John and Jonathan and what they have invested, you know, sure profitability matters, but they built something that has value,” said Stanton.
“When you build something that has value, people want to be a part of that. So I think when you look at what happened last year and what Kim did, selling out everywhere we went, people wanted to watch. People wanted to see it.”
Last week, the Bandits announced their five protected players that form the foundation of their roster. When you think of the Bandits last season, these names come to mind immediately. Erin Coffel, the 2025 League MVP, pitcher Lexi Kilfoyl, pitcher Taylor McQuillin, outfielder Morgan Zerkle, and infielder Skylar Wallace.
There are a few others that fans would love to see return next season. Sydney McKinney and Odicci Alexander-Bennett are two that I automatically thought of after the protects were complete. Those two still could end back with the Bandits, there is still a chance.
Stanton also spoke about how well Jenny Dalton-Hill has handled the preparation for this phase, and how vital that groundwork is once the draft room opens.
“You want to protect more than five always, you know, when you when you had a really strong group in year one, you know, I thought they drafted very well in year one. So, it would have been nice to protect seven or eight, but as you know, not the reality.”
That is where adjusting comes into play, something universal across this sport whether you are on the field or in the front office. The talent is out there, whether current AUSL players or the upcoming Rookie Draft that will take place later on. The 2026 class coming out of college is very strong.
“Winners adjust, you just keep, you know, looking at what’s on the board and you pivoting and, you know, at the end of the day, we got incredible athletes that play our sport. It’s going to be exciting to be in that draft room. What an honor.”
Stanton coached professionally in the NPF for the Akron Racers back in 2007 and 2008. After so many years in the college game, I asked how she plans to approach leading professional players again, especially athletes who have been doing this at a high level for a long time.
She brought it back to something simple. No matter the age, everyone wants the same things.
“Like I remember playing at eight years old, playing for Dairy Queen, and when we’d win, we’d get to go to Dairy Queen and get free ice cream. At the end of the day, you know, we’re all on one mission,” Stanton said.
“Whether you’re 8, 18 or 38. You still want the same things. You want to be around people that are competent, that do their job, that show up and do their job. You want to be around people that are connected.”
She then described the type of player she wants inside her locker room. Stanton wants athletes who give everything they have. Players whose effort and intent are never questioned. She also wants them to understand that they are part of a much larger mission.
“What I want, you know, more importantly is I really want our athletes to understand, what they’re a part of. You know, we’re part of something way bigger than ourselves,” she said.
“We’re part of history right now where, you know, we’re all passing the baton, you know, the game of softball, um, but really everybody, you know, we’re going to let them be authentic and be who they are.” Stanton also mentioned one of the differences between college and pro.
“You know, in the college space, there’s so much structure and you got to worry about other things. I don’t have to worry about that. We get to play ball, and they can be themselves and they’re going to show up to the ball field and authentically thrive.”
“That’s my job is to, you know, whether they’re 8, 18 or 38, everybody needs a little nudge. Sometimes, somebody’s gonna blow something and I can put my arm around them and say, dude, we’re glad you’re a Bandit. So I’m gonna provide that day to day environment where they can thrive. Lights, camera, action, their strengths, they’re going to bring them and they’re going to bring them often.”
To close, I wanted to know how Stanton plans to manage the life of a professional head coach while still leading Indiana. The summer months are packed with recruiting, travel tournaments, and face to face evaluations. Balancing that load takes a strong foundation.
Stanton credited the support of everyone around her, along with the reliable and hardworking staff she has at IU. It echoed the same thing Morgan Zerkle told me back in the summer when I asked how she balanced playing professionally with her responsibilities at Marshall.
“I think for me, you know, I’m fortunate to be at Indiana, where they are very supportive of me. I’m going into year 9 there. So we’ve got a really strong foundation. And again, everything is about people. You know, sure, you got to have a mission, but you got to have movers, and my staff are a bunch of movers and they work incredibly hard,” she said.
What becomes even clearer after listening to Stanton is that she is stepping into this job with clear belief and the passion to lead the Bandits in the best way. She knows who she is, she knows what she values, and she knows the importance of the people around her. This feels like the perfect fit for the Bandits.
Be sure to tune in to the AUSL Draft on Monday, December 1 at 7:00 PM ET on ESPNU.
