James Madison University | Official Athletics Site
Grace Chelemen Named Softball Assistant Coach
8/28/2025 10:00:00 AM | Softball
HARRISONBURG, Va. - James Madison softball Head Coach Loren LaPorte announced the latest addition to her coaching staff on Thursday in the hiring of Grace Chelemen as an assistant coach. Her appointment to the staff will begin on September 1.Â
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"We're excited to welcome Grace Chelemen to our program as our new assistant softball coach," said LaPorte. "Her passion for the game, commitment to player development, and winning mindset make her a perfect fit for our team."
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In her role, she will be working with the outfield and baserunners, while assisting with hitters. She will also be taking over camp director duties on behalf of the program.Â
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Cheleman is no stranger to the Sun Belt Conference, as she was a four-year standout student-athlete at Marshall, posting multiple top-25 program records while earning First Team All-SBC and NFCA Third Team All-Region laurels in her final campaign in 2023. She was also named to the 2023 All-Sun Belt Tournament team and the recipient of the Thundering Herd's Warrior Award.
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Along with her time in Huntington, the Woodhaven, Mich., product spent the 2024 season on staff at Southern Miss as a graduate manager.Â
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The newest member of the Dukes' coaching staff began her softball coaching career in the summer of 2023 as the head coach of the Smoky Mountain Rain, a summer league softball team based out of the Scenic City Collegiate League. In her debut at the helm, she led her team to the 2023 Music City Collegiate League Championship and earned coach of the year honors.
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In addition to coaching, Chelemen also played professionally as an outfielder for the Coastal Bend Tidal Wave, a member of the Women's Professional Fastpitch League for the 2024 season.
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"I am so excited to start this new journey with JMU," Cheleman said. "It is such an amazing program full of history and a winning culture. I can't wait to see what this year has in store for our team, and I am so thankful to be surrounded by an amazing staff and players! Let's get to work and GO DUKES!"
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Cheleman graduated with her bachelor's degree from Marshall in 2023 and earned a master's degree in coaching and sport performance from Southern Miss.
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"We're excited to welcome Grace Chelemen to our program as our new assistant softball coach," said LaPorte. "Her passion for the game, commitment to player development, and winning mindset make her a perfect fit for our team."
Â
In her role, she will be working with the outfield and baserunners, while assisting with hitters. She will also be taking over camp director duties on behalf of the program.Â
Â
Cheleman is no stranger to the Sun Belt Conference, as she was a four-year standout student-athlete at Marshall, posting multiple top-25 program records while earning First Team All-SBC and NFCA Third Team All-Region laurels in her final campaign in 2023. She was also named to the 2023 All-Sun Belt Tournament team and the recipient of the Thundering Herd's Warrior Award.
Â
Along with her time in Huntington, the Woodhaven, Mich., product spent the 2024 season on staff at Southern Miss as a graduate manager.Â
Â
The newest member of the Dukes' coaching staff began her softball coaching career in the summer of 2023 as the head coach of the Smoky Mountain Rain, a summer league softball team based out of the Scenic City Collegiate League. In her debut at the helm, she led her team to the 2023 Music City Collegiate League Championship and earned coach of the year honors.
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In addition to coaching, Chelemen also played professionally as an outfielder for the Coastal Bend Tidal Wave, a member of the Women's Professional Fastpitch League for the 2024 season.
Â
"I am so excited to start this new journey with JMU," Cheleman said. "It is such an amazing program full of history and a winning culture. I can't wait to see what this year has in store for our team, and I am so thankful to be surrounded by an amazing staff and players! Let's get to work and GO DUKES!"
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Cheleman graduated with her bachelor's degree from Marshall in 2023 and earned a master's degree in coaching and sport performance from Southern Miss.
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