Kirksville, Mo. – Truman State Softball Head Coach Ron Ferrill has announced the addition of Josie Buhr as the Bulldogs' new assistant coach.
A native of Buffalo, North Dakota, Buhr brings an accomplished collegiate playing career and a strong competitive background to Kirksville.
Buhr began her career at North Dakota State College of Science (2020–2022), where she was a Mon-Dak First Team All-Conference selection and a three-time Mon-Dak All-Academic honoree. She broke the program's single-season base-stealing record with 49 steals during the 2021–22 campaign and helped lead the Wildcats to back-to-back Region XIII Championships and consecutive NJCAA Division III National Tournament appearances. She then transferred to Kansas Wesleyan University, competing for the Coyotes in 2023 and 2024.
In her first season, she earned KCAC First Team All-Conference, NFCA All-Region NAIA IV Second Team recognition, and was named KWU Female Newcomer of the Year. She capped her career with another All-Conference honor in 2024, earning Second Team status. In total, Buhr appeared in 219 collegiate games, recording 552 at-bats, 186 hits, 90 RBIs, and a career batting average of .337. She also added 78 stolen bases, 31 doubles, ten triples, and four home runs.
Off the field, Buhr excelled academically. She graduated from Kansas Wesleyan University with a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice before going on to earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Her academic discipline and balance as a student-athlete complement her competitive drive and leadership on the field.
For Buhr, joining the Bulldogs came down to culture, mentorship, and opportunity. She cited Coach Ferrill's philosophy of focusing on "the little things" and maximizing effort both on and off the field as a major influence in her decision.
"I really admire Coach Ferrill's approach to building not just better players, but better people," said Buhr. "I know this is the right place for me to continue learning and growing as a coach."
She was also impressed by the Bulldogs' recent success, including leading the conference in both batting average and fielding percentage last season.
"The competitive excellence and team culture at Truman State are exactly what I was looking for," Buhr added. "Combine that with the supportive Kirksville community, and this feels like the perfect fit."
Head Coach Ron Ferrill said Buhr's background as a player and her mindset make her a strong addition to the program.
"Josie is someone who knows what it takes to win and brings the work ethic, knowledge, and energy that will make a difference for our team," said Ferrill. "We're excited to welcome her to the Bulldog family."
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