Jessie (Benson) Cofield attended Iowa Lakes Community College from 1999-2001 and is being inducted into the Hall of Fame for Softball. 

Jessie chose to attend Iowa Lakes because the Head Coach, Mike Bosch, made it clear that he wanted her to be on his team. After taking a visit and meeting all of the friendly people on campus, Jessie knew Iowa Lakes was the perfect start for her.

Coach Bosch had this to say about Jessie, “Jessie truly started a movement of winning at Iowa Lakes. She chose to become a Laker at a time when we had not established a tradition of success. During her time here, she broke numerous records, became an All-American, and went on to have an outstanding career at North Dakota State after leaving.”

Jessie has many fond memories from her time at Iowa Lakes. Her coaches, teammates, friends, and the entire Iowa Lakes Community were like family to her. She would like to sincerely thank everyone who supported her throughout her academic and athletic journey, and she is forever grateful for each and every one of those people.

While at Iowa Lakes, Jessie received many accolades. She is a two-time All-Region player, one-time All-Conference player, one-time All-American, and two-time Academic All-Conference recipient. She finished the 2001 season leading the National Junior College Division II Softball programs in runs batted in with 82 and finished fifth in runs batted in with 64 in the 2000 season. She is still currently in the Iowa Lakes Softball record book for runs scored, triples, homeruns, runs batted in, and walks in her career.

Jessie earned her Associates of Arts Degree and continued her athletic and academic career at Division I North Dakota State University. While at NDSU, Jessie earned NCAA All-Conference honors, All-NCC 1^st Team Regional honors, and NCAA All-North Central Region Tournament Team honors. Jessie also played with the USA Athletes International Softball Team in the Down Under Games in Australia in 2002.

Jessie is currently a high school teacher in Sioux City, Iowa. She thoroughly enjoys teaching young people and cheering on her husband and kids in all of their athletic adventures.

Jessie would like to thank Coach Bosch for pushing her to be better, to rise to the challenges, and encouraging her to just be herself. He gave her the tools to succeed well beyond Iowa Lakes.

Coach Bosch also had this to say, “Anyone who has met Jessie will remember her for her smile, her competitiveness, and that laugh that can brighten the mood of an entire room.”

Congratulations Jessie (Benson) Cofield on being inducted into the Iowa Lakes Hall of Fame.