About Coach Perea
Melissa Perea enters her second year at the helm of the Otero Junior College Rattler Softball team. Coach Perea, former OJC Rattler softball player, All-Region IX player, and Academic All-American, brings experience and leadership to the team both on and off the field. After her first year as head coach, Perea kept the tradition alive by posting an astounding record of 47-9, winning the Region IX Tournament for the eighth year in-a-row and earning the honor of Region IX Coach of the Year. The Lady Rattlers went on to compete in the NJCAA National Tournament for the third year in-a-row finishing amongst the top 16 teams in the nation.
The 2007 Lady Rattlers had three Athletic All-Americans, two Academic All-Americans, and were ranked amongst the top teams in the Nation academically and athletically. Last year, Perea had the honor of coaching the nation’s leading homerun hitter and the Region IX Player of the Year. In addition, 11 softball players earned the Academic All-Region and ten were named All-Region IX Players.
Perea is a La Junta native and is the younger of two children in her family. Her older brother, John, is a Chiropractor and resides in Denver, CO. Her father, Matt, is a Locomotive Engineer for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad and her mother, Shirley, is an Education Manager for OJC Child Development Services.
Throughout high school Perea played for the La Junta High School Lady Tiger Softball Team where she started at first base. She helped guide the Lady Tigers to a State Runner-up title in 1998, State Championship title in 1999, and another State Runner-up title in 2000. In winning state in 1999, the softball program became the first girls' team sport at LJHS to win a state championship. Perea earned 1st Team All-Conference selections in '98, '99, and '00 and 1st Team All-State in '99. She was also selected to play in the Colorado Coaches of Girls Sports Association All-State Game, as well as the CHSAA All-State Game. Perea also earned varsity letters in basketball and tennis. She was an active member of the National Honor Society and graduated with honors from La Junta High School in 2001.
After graduation, Perea attended Junior College for two years. She played softball for the Lady Rattlers as a starting 1st baseman and in 2002 was named 1st Team All-Region. During this time the team earned their third and fourth Region IX Championships in a row, made two district playoff appearances, and was ranked among the top 20 Division I Junior Colleges in the Nation. In Perea's two years at OJC the Ratters posted an overall record of 96-17. Perea graduated from Otero Junior College Cum Laude with an Associate of Arts Degree. She was a member of Who's Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges and was also honored as an NJCAA Academic All-American.
Coach Perea’s success as a softball player and scholar continued with her when she began the final stretch of her college softball career at Colorado State University-Pueblo.Upon entering Division II softball, her presence became quickly known around the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. She was the starting 1st baseman for two years and hit in the three hole for the T-Wolves on a consistent basis. Perea was elected team captain because of her outstanding leadership abilities. Perea ended her athletic eligibility posting a career batting average of .361. In 2005, Perea graduated from Colorado State University-Pueblo earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management.
Perea returned to Otero Junior College in 2005 to serve as Fisher's assistant coach for the 2005-06 season. "I’m very excited for the opportunity to lead the softball program here at Otero, and grateful for the support and confidence of the administration and staff. We have a great team and I'm looking forward to continuing the success of the softball program," said Perea. "I am a product of the program, and my beliefs of strong academics is very much inline with the philosophy of OJC Athletics. Helping students achieve their goals both academically and athletically is of great interest to me."
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