NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State softball head coach Tina Kramos has rounded out her coaching staff with the additions of former Redbird Softball star Jhavon Hayes and Alexis Rudd. Hayes and Rudd join Brandon Duncan, who was hired in July, to complete the staff for the 2025-26 season.
“We are excited to have Jhavon and Alexis join our Redbird Softball coaching staff,” Kramos said. “It’s a homecoming for Jhavon, who was a standout student-athlete for us from 2009-13, and we could not be more excited to have her back with her years of coaching experience at the collegiate, high school and travel levels. Alexis knows what it takes to win in the MVC, having won three championships at Southern Illinois as a player, and we look forward to watching her grow in her first collegiate coaching role. With Jhavon and Alexis joining Brandon (Duncan), I think we have an extremely talented and passionate staff that will develop our student-athletes into the players they are meant to become.”
A standout softball player at Illinois State from 2009 to 2013, Hayes had an exceptional collegiate career earning four MVC all-conference selections and while twice being named to the NFCA All-Mideast Region Team. She finished her career ranked in the top five all-time in ISU program history for career runs scored (150), hits (206), stolen bases (32), home runs (28), walks (84), and RBIs (117).
Following her playing career, Hayes served as a student assistant coach at Illinois State under legendary head coach Melinda Fischer and current ISU head coach Tina Kramos, gaining valuable experience and insight into high-level program operations. Her coaching journey has also taken her to Bradley, Millikin University, and most recently to Princeton High School, where she has coached for the past three seasons and played a key role in player development and team culture. She has also been deeply involved in travel ball as a coach with the Peoria Sluggers Fastpitch organization over the past eight seasons.
“Returning to Illinois State as a coach feels like I’m coming back home,” Hayes said. “It was an honor to have played for Tina and Melinda as a Redbird, but returning to the program as a coach is a special, full-circle moment. I’m beyond excited for the opportunity to coach this next generation of Redbird softball.”
Rudd joins the Redbird Softball coaching staff, after graduating from Southern Illinois in the Spring of 2025. She was a member of three MVC Championship teams while playing for the Salukis as a designated player and pitcher. Rudd earned ICGSA Class 3A/4A All-State Second Team honors and helped Center Grove win the school’s first state title since 2015 during her prep career.
“I am very excited to join the Illinois State Softball program,” Rudd said. “This program has a very rich history and culture, that I am honored to be a part of. I am looking forward to working with the athletes and to continue the success of Redbird Softball.”
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