As a student-athlete at Trevecca, Cozart helped Trevecca to a pair of top-five finishes at the NAIA Softball World Series. She didn’t waste any time making her mark. As a freshman, the Ezell-Harding Christian School product was named the TranSouth Newcomer of the Year while also being selected to the TranSouth and NAIA Region-XI First Team. As a junior, she was the TranSouth and Region-XI Player of the Year and a NAIA First-Team All-American.
Cozart played for two different coaches at Trevecca. First, she was recruited by and played for Angela Sullivan before completing her Trevecca career under the leadership of Ernie Reynolds.
Ashley Cozart was surprised by the announcement that she had been selected for induction into the Trevecca Hall of Fame. Cozart said, "It is such an honor and privilege to be inducted into the Hall of Fame at Trevecca. Trevecca holds such a special place in my heart. I was not only able to be successful as an athlete there, but was also able to get a wonderful Christian education that will leave a lasting impact on my life forever."
In addition to her personal accomplishments, Cozart was a member of Trevecca first-ever conference championship team when the Trojans won the 2005 TranSouth Athletic Conference regular season title. She played for two more championship teams and two TranSouth Tournament championship teams.
Angela Sullivan, who signed and coached Cozart at Trevecca, knew Ashley was a key recruit at the time: “As a coach wanting to turn around a softball program as quickly as we could, the bottom line was that we had to have Ashley McCool! She's one of those recruits you remember the first time you see her play, and I certainly remember where I was when she called to commit to TNU. I had a feeling she could possibly be the best player to ever wear a Trevecca uniform.”
Sullivan got all she believed Cozart could be when Cozart finally stepped on the Hill. Sullivan recalled, “Ashley could and was willing to play several positions, she loved to practice, she loved her team, and she loved to compete. Oh, and could she hit—with the game on the line, she was at her best! Our program reached new heights with her in the purple and white. Ashley was an absolute joy to be around, on and off the field. She just needs some new jokes!”
Cozart helped lead Trevecca’s to its first NAIA Region-XI Ttournament appearance, a feat that the team repeated in each of her four seasons. Trevecca won two of those region tournaments.
Ernie Reynolds coached Cozart her final two seasons and was glad that she was already in uniform when he arrived. Reynolds said, “Ashley was a catalyst in bringing Trevecca's softball program to national prominence. She was the flywheel of our offense that provided consistent power and a high on-base percentage in the middle of our order. Ashley was a humble star who made all she played with better players and people. I am grateful to have been able to coach someone who now carries on the tradition.”
The region championships, in her final two seasons, pushed Trevecca to the NAIA National Tournament for the first two times in program history.
Her teammates, coaches, fellow students, and fans left a mark on Cozart, who reflected about those key people in her life while at Trevecca: "I will always cherish the relationships I built at TNU because those persons helped mold me into the person I am today. I was fortunate to play under some wonderful coaches at Trevecca. Coach Sullivan was a big part of why I picked Trevecca, and to this day she is a constant mentor to me and close friend.”
“Coach Reynolds was able to continue Sullivan’s success, and his passion rubbed off on everyone he coached. Without them, I would not have been as successful as a player or as a coach. My teammates were my family! We were a special group that bonded immediately and worked together to achieve some pretty awesome goals. Without all of them pushing me and supporting me, I wouldn’t be where I am today," Cozart concluded.
She ended her career as a four-time All-TranSouth First Team and NAIA Region-XI First Team selection. Cozart earned TranSouth Scholar-Athlete honors three times.
She left TNU with the most career hits (268), doubles (67), extra-base hits (97), runs scored (146), and RBI (175). She was also second on the list in batting average (.397) and home runs (26). Cozart is still the TNU all-time career leader in doubles and is second in hits and extra base hits.
McCool at one time owned the Trevecca season records for hits (80) and doubles (20) in a season (80). She hit 20 doubles in a season on two different occasions.
She still ranks high in numerous career and season records and finished her career with the second most doubles in NAIA history. Cozart was the first Trojan to hit the 20th career-home-run mark.
Cozart, whose sister, Candice, is married to Brad Coon, graduated from Trevecca in 2007 and is married to former Trojan baseball player Shaun Cozart. The two have a son, Cooper.
The Nashville native played her high school softball for perennial power Ezell-Harding Christian School.
Cozart is now the head softball coach at the University of North Alabama, where she has finished her first season with the Lions. Her squad finished 38-18 and advanced to the NCAA Regional.
Before going to UNA, Cozart led Lindsey Wilson College to the NAIA National Tournament in all four seasons as its head coach and compiled a 191-45 record. She was selected the MidSouth Coach of the Year on three occasions.
Cozart began her coaching career as the softball coach at Nashville’s Antioch High School.
She graduated from Trevecca in 2007 and is married to Shaun Cozart. The two have a son, Cooper.
McCool Cozart by the Numbers
| Year |
G |
AB |
R |
H |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBI |
TB |
BB |
SO |
SB |
CS |
SLG |
Avg |
| 2004 |
46 |
139 |
22 |
50 |
13 |
0 |
3 |
30 |
72 |
8 |
10 |
2 |
0 |
0.518 |
0.360 |
| 2005 |
46 |
145 |
30 |
60 |
16 |
1 |
8 |
41 |
102 |
14 |
6 |
3 |
0 |
0.703 |
0.414 |
| 2006 |
43 |
127 |
41 |
53 |
17 |
1 |
11 |
40 |
105 |
12 |
6 |
2 |
1 |
0.827 |
0.417 |
| 2007 |
69 |
213 |
46 |
76 |
20 |
1 |
6 |
59 |
116 |
10 |
10 |
3 |
0 |
0.545 |
0.357 |
| Total |
204 |
624 |
139 |
239 |
66 |
3 |
28 |
170 |
395 |
44 |
32 |
10 |
1 |
0.633 |
0.383 |
Records
Career record for Doubles with 67 (2nd best in NAIA history)
Career record for Extra Base Hits with 97
2007 (Senior) – 59-11, 29-3 (11-4 Postseason)
NAIA All-Region XI First Team
All-TranSouth First Team
TranSouth Scholar Athlete
Named NAIA Region XI and TranSouth Player of the Week
2006 (Junior) – 47-15, 11-5 (10-3 Postseason)
NAIA All-American – Honorable Mention
NAIA All-Region XI First Team
All-TranSouth First Team
TranSouth Scholar Athlete
Named NAIA Region XI and TranSouth Player of the Week
2005 (Sophomore) – 37-9, 11-5 (1-4 Postseason)
NAIA All-Region XI First Team
All-TranSouth First Team
TranSouth Scholar Athlete
TranSouth Player of the Week
2004 (Freshman) – 29-17, 11-9 (2-4 Postseason)
NAIA All-Region XI First Team
TranSouth Newcomer of the Year
All-TranSouth First Team
TranSouth Player of the Week
