Hall of Fame
Jessica Roper helped lead the Phoenix to success throughout her career while becoming one of the most dangerous bats in the Mid-South Conference. A standout catcher and middle-of-the-order presence, Roper earned NAIA All-American honors in 2014 after a dominant junior campaign that saw her named Mid-South Conference Player of the Year and First Team All-Conference. She previously earned Second Team All-Conference honors in 2013 and helped guide the Phoenix to a national tournament appearance.
Roper's breakout season in 2014 ranks among the best individual offensive campaigns in program history. She hit a career-best .438 at the plate while totaling 74 hits, 12 doubles, six home runs, and 47 RBIs across 57 games. She received Mid-South Conference Player of the Week honors and Tennessee Sports Writers Association Softball Player of the Week recognition, helping establish Cumberland as one of the top programs in the conference.
Roper made an immediate impact as a sophomore transfer in 2013, blasting 11 home runs and driving in 34 runs while hitting .354 to earn All-Conference recognition. She finished her career with a .383 batting average, 141 hits, 20 doubles, 18 home runs, and 93 RBIs in 131 career games. In addition to her accomplishments on the field, Roper excelled in the classroom as a multiple-time Mid-South Conference Scholar-Athlete, exemplifying the balance of academic and athletic excellence throughout her time at Cumberland. Roper was named the 2024 Wilson County Teacher of the Year teaching third graders at Southside School.
