University of West Alabama

Justus Perry joined the St. Catherine University athletic department staff as an assistant softball coach and assistant events coordinator in October of 2021.

Perry comes to St. Kate's after a remarkable collegiate career for the nationally-ranked NCAA Division I Auburn University Tigers. Perry's playing career concluded in the spring of 2021 appearing in 211 games at first base for the Tigers having been granted an extra year of eligibility as the result of a halted senior season in 2020. 

"We are excited and lucky to add such a dynamic coach to our staff", said Powers. "Justus' passion, work ethic, competitiveness and enthusiasm was evident the first time I met her when she was a youth player in the local area. Now she enters coaching with the same qualities that she refined and grew as a player in the SEC. Our team cannot wait to begin working with her!"

At Auburn, Perry was a four-time SEC Academic honor roll selection and was name to the 2020 CoSIDA Academic All-District First-Team. She was a member of the 2020 and 2021 SEC Community Service Team and a NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete. Most impressively, Perry was honored with Auburn's Virgil Starks III Passion Award, given to the student-athlete who exemplifies the most passion for academics, community service, team work, and personal growth. 

Prior to her collegiate career, Perry was a four-time all-state player at Prior Lake High School before moving to Alabama to play at Curry High School. Between her youth careers in Minnesota and Alabama, Perry was a five-time all-conference selection, three-time all-metro, Alabama state champion and a finalist for the Gatorade Player of the Year. 

"Growing up, coach Powers was an utter inspiration for myself and many other female athletes in the state of Minnesota", said Perry. "Her fearlessness and drive while playing and coaching was always something I admired. To be able to coach with someone who I have idolized as a person and a player is an absolute dream come true. I am very excited to be a Wildcat!"

Perry's responsibilities within the department will include assisting in the oversight of the Wildcat softball program along with assisting with event management for home athletic contests. She will also contribute to the softball program's recruiting and administrative tasks. 

She graduated from Auburn in May of 2020 with a bachelor's degree in both law and justice and Spanish with a minor in psychology. Before returning to Minnesota, Perry was pursuing a master's degree in Hispanic studies.