Lincoln University is shining bright in collegiate athletics, with head softball coach Jason Ollison and head women’s soccer coach Leah Stringer both honored as “Missouri’s Best” in their respective positions by Missouri’s Best for the 2024-25 edition.
Coach Jason Ollison
This award marks the third consecutive year Coach Ollison received the title of “Missouri’s Best” college softball coach. Now, in his third season with the Blue Tiger softball program, Ollison led the team to its most successful season in a decade last spring. A standout moment included a commanding 11-1 victory over Newman, the team’s largest margin of victory against a conference opponent in eight years. Off the field, Ollison’s commitment to academic excellence is evident, with 24 of his student-athletes earning a spot on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll.
Ollison graduated from Lincoln University and earned All-MIAA honors while playing for the Blue Tigers. Before leading the team as head softball coach in 2022, he worked as a high school softball and baseball coach.
Coach Leah Stringer
Meanwhile, Coach Leah Stringer is making her mark as Lincoln’s first-ever women’s soccer coach. Over the past school year, Stringer focused on building the women’s soccer program and carefully assembling a competitive roster in preparation for LU’s inaugural season. This historic season will kick off when the Blue Tigers take the field for the first time on September 6, facing off against Minnesota Crookston in South Dakota.
In the past, Stringer coached softball at Missouri Western State University and was an assistant coach for the men’s and women’s soccer teams at Northeast Texas Community College. She also served as the goalkeeper coach for the Manchester Soccer Club United ’96 Boys team in the past.
Missouri Magazine’s Missouri’s Best Content started in 2017. Along with bragging rights for the entire year, winners are invited to a private red carpet-event and listed on their website and in a special edition of the magazine.