University of West Florida

Shannon Miles was a naturally-gifted softball player who thrived when she stepped between the lines. Despite not playing regularly until eighth grade, the Shreveport, Louisiana standout came to UWF and turned into one of the best power hitters in program history.

"I got started later than most kids as I was in the eighth grade and one of my friends invited me to play on their team," Miles recalls. "We had a good core group that started at Shreveport Little League and then the same high school. I always had a knack for the sport and was a powerful hitter. Softball wasn't my life but I enjoyed playing when we got to the field."
 
Miles came to UWF after a solid career at Bossier Parish Community College, welcoming the change of scenery that the Gulf Coast offered. 
 
"My junior college coach was friends with coach Cory told her I was interested in UWF," Miles said. "She came to one of my practices and then I went on a recruiting trip in November of 2007. I remember going to dinner with the team and had a really nice time. I was ready to get away from home and Pensacola just seemed like a good fit."
 
And boy was it a good fit.
 
Miles earned a pair of All-Region and First Team All-Gulf South Conference nods, and was a 2-time All-America in 2010. She completed her career as a .362 hitter and a .641 slugging percentage, thanks in large part to her 23 home runs and three grand slams – all of which placer her in the top-10 of the UWF Record Book.
 
"Being there only two years, I came in with the expectation that I had to produce but I also knew I was there to get my degree" Miles said. "We won a lot of games and went to the NCAA Regionals both years. Those are some of my greatest memories. All of the sports team were really close and we supported each other like family."
 
She earned her Bachelor's degree in Communications Arts in 2011 and added a Master's from Louisiana State University in Sport Management Kinesiology. She is currently a middle school art teacher in Arlington, Texas.