Stetson University Athletics

Joanna (J.J.) Payette is in her 13th season as an assistant coach at Stetson after completing a four-year playing career for the Hatters (2002-2006).  Payette's responsibilities on the staff include travel and schedule coordination, academic advising, and serving as Associate Camp Director of Head Coach Frank Griffin's Stetson Fastpitch Academy. 

During her coaching tenure, the Hatters have captured two conference championships and secured two NCAA Tournament berths. Within her role, Payette helped guide and mentor the 2015 & 2016 Atlantic Sun Conference Defensive Players of the Year as well as the 2015 Top Division I Defense (March-April), as well as the 10th highest team G.P.A. in Division I Softball in 2011.

As a Hatter student-athlete, Payette served as a two-year co-captain while earning Atlantic Sun All-Academic honors three times.  In addition, she was twice honored with the Bob Gillies Award for her dedication, determination, desire, and discipline as a student-athlete.  She also represented the Hatters as a student-athlete clinician at the 2004 NCAA's YES (Youth Excellence through Sport) Clinic held in conjunction with the Women's College World Series.

A 17-year member of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA), Payette is a Four-Star Master Coach having completed the eight-course curriculum of the National Fastpitch Coaches College (NFCC).  She is also a proud member of the Alliance of Women Coaches and the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA).
J.J. is a graduate of the NCAA’s Women Coaches Academy, Class 37 held in Denver ‘15.

Payette earned a Master's of Science in Education, Sports Administration degree from the University of Miami in 2018.  She has also completed post-graduate coursework in Mental Health Counseling and Business at Stetson.

Born in Tampa, Florida, Payette grew up in Springfield, Missouri and Lone Tree, Colorado, graduating from Chaparral High School in 2002.