Former Yellow Jacket Danielle Dike Hired to Upstate Softball Staff
7/31/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Spartanburg, S.C. - USC Upstate head coach Chris Hawkins has announced the hiring of former Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket standout Danielle Dike as an assistant coach with the program.
Dike will assist in all phases of the program, specifically working with the outfielders.
Dike comes to Upstate after graduating from Georgia Tech with a bachelor's degree in Science, Technology and Culture in May of 2012 where she was also a member of the Yellow Jackets' softball squad that won a combined six regular season or tournament championships in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) from 2009-12. A solid player for Tech, she was also a strong student and earned All-ACC Academic Team honors as a junior in 2011.
"I am thrilled to have Danielle join our staff at Upstate," said Hawkins. "She brings with her the experience of playing on a very high level at Georgia Tech and in the ACC. They have been a benchmark program in the ACC for many years and I believe that her experience in that environment will have a positive impact on our kids and the program."
Dike, a native of Scottsville, Va., started 73 of the 154 games she played at Georgia Tech, primarily playing third base, but also serving a role as an outfielder and pinch hitter. She hit a career-high .273 with six doubles, two home runs and 17 RBIs as a senior. For her career, she belted 12 home runs with 56 RBIs and posted a .393 on-base percentage.
Dike helped lead Georgia Tech to the ACC regular season championship in 2009, 2010 and 2011 and ACC Tournament titles in 2009, 2010 and 2012. She also helped lead the Yellow Jackets to four-straight NCAA Tournament appearances, earning NCAA Regional bids each year and advancing to the Super Regional in 2009.
Dike had a standout prep career at Fluvanna High School. She was named the Central Virginia Player of the Year, Jefferson District Player of the Year and second-team all-state as a senior. She was a three-time all-region and all-strict selection. She also lettered in volleyball and basketball and earned two all-district and one all-region honor in volleyball.
