Michele Rupard was promoted to Head Softball Coach at State Fair Community College in the Fall of 2022. Rupard led SFCC to a 15-31 record in her first season as the Head Coach. The program claimed its fourth consecutive NJCAA Team Academic Award during the 2023 season.

Coach Rupard previously served as the Assistant Coach of the Lady Roadrunners for the past four seasons.

Rupard helped SFCC to a 13-30 record during the 2022 campaign. In 2022, she was inducted into the Central Methodist University Hairston Hall of Fame. SFCC also earned the program’s third consecutive NJCAA Academic Team Award.

She helped her team to a 17-28 record during the 2021 season. The Lady Roadrunners also earned another NJCAA Academic Team Award in 2021.

The 2020 season ended in mid-March because of the COVID-19 pandemic. SFCC finished the season 5-9, after playing only 14 games. SFCC also earned a 2019-2020 NJCAA Softball Academic Team Award.

Rupard helped SFCC to a 26-24 record in her first season with the program. The team finished over .500 for the first time in the history of the program. 

She brings a wealth of experience as a student-athlete, collegiate coach, and umpire to her position.

Rupard served as a Tournament Director for Midwest Sports Production in Kansas City beginning in May 2018. She was responsible for recording scores in an online database. She managed the support staff for the tournaments. She also served as a baseball and softball umpire for Metro Umpires KC beginning in June 2012.

Rupard served as the head coach for the Reserve Team at Central Methodist University from August 2017 to May 2018. She was responsible for in game management and performed game day operations. She recruited and conducted reserve team practices for 30 student-athletes.

Beginning in August 2016 through May 2018, Rupard served as a graduate assistant softball coach at CMU. She assisted with day-to-day as well as game day operations. She assisted with varsity hitting. She worked with the catchers and outfielders during practice. Rupard also assisted with field maintenance, organized fundraising, and student-athlete schedules.

Prior to her time at Central Methodist as a coach, she served as an assistant softball coach at Metropolitan Community College-Maple Woods from August 2015 to May 2016. She managed team travel, while assisting with game day operations. She also put together hitting schedules and routines, while working with the pitchers and catchers.

Rupard had a standout four year playing career at CMU. She helped her team to four consecutive Heart of America Conference Championships. She was a two-time National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American catcher in 2014 and 2015. She was also named the NFCA NAIA Catcher of the Year in 2014. She earned NAIA All-American honors three times as a catcher in 2013, 2014, and 2015. Rupard earned a Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Special Achievement Award in 2014.

Rupard was also known for her work in the classroom, making the Central Methodist Dean’s List three times throughout her career as a student-athlete. She earned NFCA Academic All-American honors in 2015. She was also the recipient of the Darla Pannier Outstanding Female Athlete Award in 2015.

Rupard earned her bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training from Central Methodist in June 2015. She also has a master’s degree in Athletic Administration from Central Methodist, which she earned in May 2018.

Rupard and her wife Skyler reside in Sedalia.