Drury University has found its next leader for the women's golf program, tapping a familiar face with deep Springfield roots. Susannah Blackwell has been named the new head coach, succeeding Faith Hopkins, as announced by Vice President and Director of Athletics Nyla Milleson on Monday.
Blackwell knows the Panthers well—she served as an assistant coach during the 2025-26 season under Hopkins, helping guide the team to a seventh-place finish at the GLVC Championship in April. She also played a key role in developing regional qualifier Grace Stafford, showing she can already deliver at the collegiate level.
“We’re excited to have Susannah at Drury,” Milleson said. “She has the support of Coach Hopkins and has shown she can uphold the standard of our women’s golf program.”
Blackwell’s journey to the helm is a homegrown success story. A Springfield native and Glendale High School alum, she led the Falcons to third- and fourth-place finishes at the MSHSAA State Championships, along with three straight Ozark Conference team titles. She also claimed the 2020 Ozark Conference individual championship during her senior season—a sign of the competitive fire she brings to the course.
She continued her playing career at Evangel University, where she became one of the top golfers in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC). Her collegiate resume includes two All-KCAC selections, a third-place finish at the 2025 KCAC Women’s Golf Championship, and academic honors as a CSC Academic All-District selection and NAIA Spring Sport Scholar-Athlete in 2025. She played under Evangel head coach Jon Jenkins and worked alongside Faith Hopkins, who was an assistant coach during her time at EU—a connection that now comes full circle.
“I am excited to be joining the Drury family,” Blackwell said. “I am grateful for the mentorship of Coach Hopkins. We’ve got a great group of talented ladies, and I’m excited to see what we can achieve.”
Blackwell earned her degree in sport management from Evangel in 2025, and now she’s ready to build on that foundation as the new face of Drury women’s golf. With her local ties, coaching experience, and competitive background, the Panthers are in good hands for the seasons ahead.