Hawkins Signs On As Head Coach Of S.C. Elite Travel Ball
8/19/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Aug. 19, 2009
Spartanburg, S.C. - After much consideration, USC Upstate head softball coach and Athletics Hall of Fame member Chris Hawkins will resume his travel ball coaching duties starting immediately as the 16-year coaching veteran will become the head coach of the S.C. Elite Gold fastpitch softball team, announced Hawkins today.
College softball coaches are allowed to coach travel ball teams as long as all players on the team live within a 50-mile radius of the college or university at which they work. Hawkins has a storied history as a travel ball coach and returns to the travel ball ranks after a four-year absence. Current Upstate assistant coach Bryan Pack has served as head coach of the Elite the past two years, but asked Hawkins to take over the team for the upcoming year. Pack will serve as assistant coach with the Elite under Hawkins.
"I look forward to coaching a travel team again," said Upstate head coach Chris Hawkins. "Bryan has done a tremendous job assembling a top-notch program. I am excited to bring the structure and environment of college to the players at this level.
"Bryan asked me to help and I saw how hard he was working. As much as he has done for USC Upstate and me personally, I couldn't refuse."
Hawkins has had tremendous success coaching travel ball teams in the past. He began his travel ball coaching career as the head coach of the Palmetto Power from 1996-2001. He led the Power to five tournament championships, two 16-under state titles and a fifth-place finish at the 18-under NSA World Series. He coached the Carolina Crush from 2002-04 and led the squad to a state championship and three tournament titles. His last stint as a travel ball coach was in 2004-05 as the head coach of the Carolina Pride. The Elite will be Hawkins' first stint coaching a gold team.
In the S.C. Elite, Hawkins inherits from Pack a group of players with a track record of success both in travel ball and in securing college scholarships. In the past two years 11 of the players have committed or signed to play NCAA Division I or II softball at schools in conferences such as the A-Sun, SEC and Southern Conference. The Elite travels throughout the country to play its tournament schedule and have won over 80 percent of its games over the last two years.
The following players have committed to play for the Elite for the next year: Melissa Adams, Ashley Bagwell, Ashley Butler, Cheyenne Griffin, Tamara Hawkins, Leslie Jury, Dana Landers, Hannah Milks, Jamie Presnell, Stephanie Saylors, Jessica Smith, Jordan Stovall, Lindsay Waters and Leah Young.
