Amber Grider Purtell [Softball '16]

Amber Grider (Purtell) came to Connors State College in 1996 following an outstanding athletic career at Lexington High School in Oklahoma. During her high school career, Grider stood out in softball, basketball, and track, receiving state recognition for softball including the Sooner All-Star Newcomer of the Year in 1992. 

She played as a member of the Sooner All-Star Team each year from 1992-1995, as well as earning honors for her time with the Oklahoma Little All-City; All-District; All-Conference; and All-Regional Teams, and was named to the Oklahoma Fast-Pitch All-State in 1995.

At Connors State, Grider was coached by Rick Carbone and received All-Conference, All-Region, and All-American honors as a cowgirl. 

Following graduation in 1998, Grider received a full softball scholarship from Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee. She played third base for the Lady Bison’s and received a number of awards, including the Lipscomb True Champion award, and NAIA National Tournament – All-Tournament Team honors in 2000. 

Grider went on to earn her Bachelors of Science in kinesiology from Lipscomb University, a Masters of Education from Middle Tennessee State University, and a Master of Arts in School Counseling from the University of Texas at Tyler. Grider is a teacher and coach in Frisco, Texas.