WINTER HAVEN – After significant improvement in 2022, Polk State Softball hopes Mark Skapin can transform the program into a championship contender.

Skapin, 41, was announced as the program's new head coach during a ceremony on the Winter Haven Campus. Previously at Cottey College in Missouri, Skapin turned that program into a championship contender.

"It's pretty rare to come into this environment and have this type of turnout," Skapin said during the ceremony. "It says a lot about Polk State and this Athletics Department. I welcome everyone to come out and support the program."

Skapin spent seven years as the Cottey head coach and transformed the Comets from an NJCAA doormat into an NAIA national tournament team. When Skapin took over prior to the 2017 season, Cottey had gone a combined 17-222 in recent years. Skapin led Cottey to a pair of regional titles as an NJCAA program and a No. 16 final national ranking.

"You have to come in and teach your players how to win," Skapin said. "You have to get them to believe in themselves and believe in each other."

Under Skapin's leadership, Cottey transitioned from the junior college ranks to an NAIA program following a 28-8 finish in 2018. The Comets reached the NAIA national tournament in 2021 and 2022.

"He has tremendous passion for the game," said Polk State Athletics Director Stanley Cromartie of the head coach. "It was a lengthy hiring process, but I think we got it right. When it was all said and done, one applicant rose to the top."

Prior to his collegiate coaching career, Skapin was a well-known high school and showcase coach in Ohio. On the travel ball circuit in Ohio, Skapin compiled 440 victories, two national championships, and his teams won more than 80% of their games.

"What stood out the most was his resume," Cromartie added. "He works tirelessly day in and day out."

Skapin will take over for Donna Byars, who left Polk State after five years to become an assistant at NAIA powerhouse Southeastern University. The Eagles nearly tripled their win total last season, finishing with a record of 14-28.

Despite its improvement, Softball was the only one of Polk State College's five teams not to make the FCSAA Tournament last academic year. Skapin said other Polk State programs' successes show what can be accomplished.

"I'm here because I want to win a national championship," he said. "I think we can compete at the highest level."