Fossil Ridge Softball Coaches
Varsity Head Coach: Dave Philop
Contact info: dphilop@psdschools.org
Bio: Coach Philop enters his 14th season as the Fossil Ridge High School Head Softball Coach. With over 30 years of coaching experience at the High School, College, and travel ball level, Coach Philop brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and passion to the team.
-Coach Philop began his softball coaching career at the collegiate level, serving as the Head Coach at William Penn University for 6 years. During his tenure, he earned the Iowa Conference Coach of the Year award, elevated the team to a nationally ranked level, and achieved 6 consecutive 20-win seasons. Following this success, he spent 3 years as the Head Coach at New Mexico Highlands University, where he transformed a struggling program into one of the top teams in both the conference and the region. Over his collegiate coaching career, Coach Philop amassed over 250 wins.
-After a distinguished nine-year tenure at the collegiate level, Coach Philop embraced a new challenge, transitioning to coaching pre-college athletes. He recognized an opportunity to make a more profound impact by nurturing the talents of younger athletes. Coach Philop began his journey in Fort Collins with Triple Crown Sports. Eventually, his journey led him to Fossil Ridge High School where he continues to inspire and develop the next generation of student-athletes.
-His impressive accomplishments at Fossil Ridge include 13 consecutive state tournament appearances, 9 final four appearances, 3 state tournament runner-up finishes, and 1 state championship. In recognition of his achievements, Coach Philop was named the 5A Colorado Coach of the Year in 2020. Under his leadership, Fossil Ridge has also won 5 Front Range League Championships, and he was honored as the Front Range League Coach of the Year 3 times. Throughout his career, Coach Philop has collected over 260 wins at Fossil Ridge, contributing to his impressive career total of over 700 wins.
Varsity Assistant Coach: Olivia Damge
Contact info: olivia.damge@gmail.com
Bio: I was born in Thornton, Colorado. My family moved to CA when I was 3, we ended up moving back to Colorado when I was 4 and settled in Fort Collins. I went through grade school in the Poudre School District; starting at Dunn Elementary, to Lincoln Junior High, and graduating from Poudre High School in 2013. I received softball and academic scholarships to VCSU, where I graduated with a BS in Psychology.
My softball career began in slow pitch recreation in 5th grade. I moved through the levels, modified to A-ball, in the years after playing within the Fort Collins Stars and Colorado Cardinals organizations. My primary position was catcher, but my first love was actually first base, which remained my secondary position through my career. I played at the collegiate level at VCSU; I played my last games in Australia with USA International. I currently work at Triple Crown Sports as an Event Director in the Fastpitch division.
My parents are Walker and Sally Damge. I have one older sibling, my sister Emerald now Foran as I have a new BIL, Ryan Foran and they gifted me my nephew, Wyatt. I am currently in a serious relationship and living (in sin according to my grandmother) with my boyfriend, Erik Kozel. I have a menagerie of animals; one dog, two cats, and a duck.
In my time spent away from softball, I enjoy hiking, rebuilding cars, and working out. I am also a girly girl who loves doing hair, nails, and make-up and practices Tarot.
My coaching career began in 2014, working with catchers and game calling during my summer breaks. I began coaching at Fossil Ridge in 2018.
To me, coaching is not just about the fundamentals. It’s more about the soft skills players develop that will be carried through the rest of their lives. These soft skills include, but are not limited to, self-confidence, grit, work ethic, team mateship and personal growth. When I am coaching, I focus on the whole player by meeting them where they are at now and guide them in their development as an athlete and a young adult.
“These are the moments we play for”
Varsity Assistant Coach: Grace Philop
Contact info: grace.philop@gmail.com
Bio: Grace Philop enters her second season as a varsity assistant coach for the Sabercats. She also enters this season coming off her first year as a competitive club softball assistant coach for the 16U team at Triple Crown.
-Prior to her coaching experiences, Grace was a four-year athlete at Fort Hays State University (FHSU) in Hays, Kansas. She was an outfielder, playing mostly right field and also serving as a designated hitter. As a freshman, Grace received an All-MIAA Honorable Mention recognition. She also was one of the 2018 Newcomer MIAA Scholar-Athlete Award winners. In her sophomore season, Grace set the FHSU program record for least strikeouts in a single season as a hitter and was ranked 12th in all of NCAA Division II for "hardest to strike out". She also made the MIAA Academic Honor Roll in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. Grace obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Fort Hays in 2021.
-In her younger years, Grace herself was a four-year varsity softball athlete at Fossil Ridge High School, graduating in 2017. As a sophomore, Grace was a starting outfielder, and her Sabercat squad collected a state runner-up trophy for the first time in program history. She also received all-conference accolades in three of her four varsity seasons.
-Grace currently works as a registered nurse and is a graduate student pursuing a master's degree that specializes in nursing education.
Varsity Assistant Coach: Kevin McMillan
Contact info: McMillan.kevin@gmail.com
Bio:
JV Head Coach: Brad Sawatzky
Contact info: strengthandmotivation@gmail.com
Bio:
JV Assistant Coach: Dennis Jamison
Contact info: Dennisjamisonco@gmail.com
Bio: I have been coaching youth sports for over 35 years, both girls soccer and softball. While residing in California I was president and founding member of the Pleasanton Girls Softball League which consisted of over 700 girls. I coached travel ball for both sports at the highest competitive level. All 4 of my daughters played softball, 2 of them played in College.
Currently, I have been retired for almost 12 years. My wife and I both drive special needs school buses for Weld RE4. When not working or coaching, I am an avid golfer at Ptarmigan Country Club.
C Team Head Coach: Jayden Mercado
Contact info: jaydenmercado17@gmail.com
Bio: I helped coach the JV team last season, but this is my first season being a head coach.
I am an alumni of Fossil Ridge class of 2020. I was a 4 year varsity player at 3rd base. I actually tried out for outfield but was moved to 3rd base. I was always running all over the field getting bunts, foul pop ups, or running across half the field to get a ball. Hints the nickname “Squirrel” my freshmen year and lasting to this day. I was a switch hitter meaning I hit both right and left handed.
After high school, I played division 1 softball at University of Northern Colorado. I was an outfielder and lefty slapper. I graduated with a bachelors degree in human services.
I am currently a registered behavior technician at a facility that specialized in kids with autism.