SPARTANBURG, S.C. – USC Upstate head softball coach Chris Hawkins announced that Travis McCall will be joining the Upstate softball program as the new assistant coach on Friday morning.
 
"We have just found a huge addition to our program," Hawkins said. "His coaching and recruiting are at a high level and his great character will help him fit right in with our program. The girls are really going to like his style and positive influence. Our program grew substantially with this hire. With Bryan Pack and Travis McCall working together this could get us back in the national spotlight in a couple of years. Everyone, please help us welcome Travis and Cassie McCall to the Upstate Family!"
 
"I'm extremely excited to be a part of the Upstate family," McCall said. "I would like to thank Coach Chris Hawkins for the opportunity to be a part of the softball staff. I look forward to being a Spartan and can't wait to get started!"
 
In six seasons at Coker College (Hartsville, S.C.), McCall amassed an overall record of 165-120-1 and led the Cobras to new heights in his tenure. McCall coached 16 All-Conference selections, 3 All-Region selections and 2 All-Americans during his time at Coker. McCall led the Cobras to three NCAA Regional appearances and three consecutive 30-win seasons. In 2017, McCall led the Cobras to their first 40-win season since 2002. The Cobras knocked off three nationally ranked teams (No. 11 University of Charleston, No. 13 Lenoir-Rhyne University, No. 22 Limestone College) and finished runner-up at the South Atlantic Conference Tournament.
 
This past season, the Cobras held an 18-7 overall record and a 3-1 record in South Atlantic Conference competition as the 2019-2020 campaign came to a halt.  
 
Prior to his stint at Coker, McCall was an assistant at King University (Bristol, Tenn.) for a trio of seasons. During his time at King, McCall helped the Tornado win more than 94 games. Under his tutelage, 15 Tornado players earned all-conference honors, and 11 were named academic all-conference. Additionally, he helped guide the Tornado to a Conference Carolinas regular season title (2013), a Conference Carolinas Tournament title (2012) and two Conference Carolinas Tournament championship game appearances (2012, 2014).
 
McCall assisted King in becoming one of the top hitting and pitching teams in Conference Carolinas during his three years. In 2014, the Tornado ranked in the top five in 13 statistical categories, including being fourth in runs (169), third in hits (350), first in doubles (64), fourth in home runs (18), fourth in runs batted in (143) and fourth in total bases (472).  On the defensive side of the ball, the Tornado were first in strikeouts (296), second in ERA (2.42) and second in shutouts (8).
 
In addition to the 15 all-conference performers, McCall has coached two-time Conference Carolinas Pitcher of the Year and two-time Daktronics All-Southeast Region selection Hannah Light.
 
Prior to his arrival at King, McCall served as the assistant coach at Columbus State University from 2010-2011. He helped guide the Cougars to a record of 37-16, a 16-win improvement from their previous season. CSU finished third in the Peach Belt Conference and advanced to the conference tournament.
 
McCall was a four-year letter winner for the University of West Georgia baseball team and a member of the Gulf South Conference Academic Honor Roll. He received his Bachelor of Science in Sports Management in 2008 and received his Master of Business Administration in 2009, both from the University of West Georgia. McCall and his wife Cassie will be moving to the Upstate of South Carolina this summer.
 
All hires by the University of South Carolina Upstate athletic department are subject to an approved background check.