Bolivar, Mo. - Southwest Baptist University announced today the hiring of Jim Flora as the new head softball coach. Coach Flora comes to SBU from Pleasant Hope High School where he has been the head softball coach for the previous nine years.

"Jim Flora is obviously a great addition to the SBU Athletics family," SBU Director of Athletics Mike Pitts stated. "Not only does he bring the experience of the championship runs he's had at Pleasant Hope, Jim is a solid individual in all of the important ways. He is spiritually and academically strong. He will challenge his players to be their best on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. I also appreciate his no-nonsense approach to leadership. I'm looking forward to working with Jim in the years ahead - watching him build something very special here at SBU."

Coach Flora will enter his 10th season as a head softball coach after spending the previous nine years at Pleasant Hope High School. Coach Flora helped build the Pleasant Hope softball team into one of the premier softball programs in the state of Missouri. During his time at Pleasant Hope, Coach Flora led PHHS to the 2013 State Championship, as well as leading his team to 3 final four appearances, 5 District Championships, and 5 Conference Championships while compiling a 212-49 career record.

Flora attended Southwest Baptist University where he earned his undergraduate degree in Chemistry. Flora then continued his education by earning a master's degree in Science Education from Montana State, and is currently working on his second master's degree in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State.

"I am very excited to come back home to SBU," coach Jim Flora commented. "I'd like to thank Dr. Pat Taylor and Mike Pitts for giving me this great opportunity. I look forward to the challenge of helping SBU Softball become competitive once again in the MIAA."