Jadyn Wallis, and Dr. Linda McElroy were recently inducted into the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma Alumni Association Hall of Fame.
Wallis is a Newcastle resident, and McElroy is from the Chickasha and Verden area.
Wallis graduated from Oklahoma University in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. She played collegiately at the University of Oklahoma under legendary coach Patty Gasso. Wallis pitched for the Sooners from 20052008 where she had a career record of 9-4 in 57 appearances, with 10 starts. She pitched a total of 110.1 innings and struck out 84 batters.
The Sooners as a team combined for a 192-60 record (.773 winning percentage) during that time.
She returned to her hometown and was an assistant coach at Newcastle High School in 2009 and 2010. She later served as an assistant coach at Oklahoma Baptist University in 2011 and 2012 before joining the USAO program.
Wallis became the USAO softball coach prior to the 2013 season, and in that time, she has built the Drovers into a softball powerhouse. During Wallis’ time at the helm, she has a 509-150 (.772) winloss record, the 2018 NAIA National Championship, one NAIA National Coach of the Year award, four SAC Coach of the Year awards, five SAC Championships, and nine NAIA National Tournament appearances.
She also achieved the longest win streak in NAIA history (59 games). Wallis has also led the Drovers to three thirdplace finishes at the NAIA Softball World Series (2019, 2022,2024).
Under her direction, the program has produced three NAIA Pitcher of the Year awards, one NAIA National Championship MVP, three SAC Player of the Year award winners, eight SAC Pitcher of the Year award winners, 96 All-SAC selections, and 18 NAIA All-Americans.
Coach Wallis is especially well known for her pitching prowess, with the USAO pitching staff earning seven consecutive SAC Pitcher of the Year awards (Emily Cerny five times from 2018-22, and Sophie Williams two times from 2023-24).
Wallis has produced winning campaigns in each of her 12 seasons, including three seasons in which the team reached the 50-win plateau. The Drovers own a .772 win percentage under Wallis’ lead.
In the summers of 2023 and 2024, Wallis added another impressive feat to her resume as she is the first pitching coach in the history of the OKC Spark (professional softball). Additionally, in 2023 one of her former players, Emily Cerny, became the first former NAIA player to ever appear in the Women’s Professional Fastpitch, playing alongside some of the game’s greatest players in the world.
Dr. McElroy graduated Summa Cum Laude from OCLA in 1970 with a degree in Vocational Home Economics, then returned to USAO in 1985 to add teaching certifications. She came to OCLA as the recipient of the Greater OCLA Scholarship and served as a student member of committees in developing Interdisciplinary Studies Courses.
Jadyn Wallis Newcastle
Dr. Linda McElroy Chickasha/Verden
She returned to become a faculty member at USAO in 1995, teaching a variety of courses in teacher education and Interdisciplinary Studies. She became a full professor and received the Regents’ Award for Superior Teaching.
She is a parent of three alums. Her daughter Lisa McElroy Wright who works in early childhood and elementary; son Greg McElroy in music education, daughter- in-law Kelli Tiller McElroy, who works in deaf education with an emphasis in math.
She moved to Purcell and was active in community activities and the First Baptist Church of Purcell, became a 4-H Leader, Girl Scout Leader, and Cub Scout Leader. She taught in the public schools in Wanette and in Lexington for 10 years. She completed a Master of Education degree as a Reading Specialist and a Ph.D. in Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum (Literacy Education), both at the University of Oklahoma.
She has been a leader in the Oklahoma Literacy Association, serving as state chair, chair-elect, and coordinator between the state association and the International Literacy Association. She served as a member of the board of directors, then advisor to the board. She taught professional development sessions for an International Literacy Association conference in Sweden, several ILA and Oklahoma Literacy Association Conferences, and helped lead the Grady County Reading Council. She served for 17 years on the planning committee for the annual reading conference presented by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and served as a keynote speaker at one of their conferences.
She served multiple terms on the USAO Alumni Association Board of Directors. She served for many years as the Faculty Advisor for the USAO Baptist Collegiate Ministries. She attends most campus activities such as music performances, symposia, student groups, etc., and celebrates with students.
