Davenport University Athletics

The 2020 season will mark Nikki Payne's third as a member of the coaching staff for Davenport University softball, but first under new head coach, Amber Bowman. Payne prepped at Ladywood High School in Livonia and won a State Championship before a four-year career at the University of Michigan-Dearborn of the NAIA. There, the Canton native graduated with a double major in criminal justice and psychology to go with a minor in sociology. As an outfielder for the Wolverines, Payne racked up 138 games played including 65 starts.