Troy University Athletics
Troy Hires Assistant, Former Trojan Shines
9/1/2009 2:15:00 PM | Softball
TROY, Ala. - The Troy University softball program and head coach Melanie Davis have announced the addition of Mick Hokanson to the coaching staff as an assistant coach. Hokanson joins the Trojans after spending four seasons as an assistant at the University of Oregon.
Hokanson will primarily work with the Trojans' hitters. He has lots of experience coaching slapping and base running. He will also serve as the Trojans recruiting coordinator.
"We are very fortunate to secure a coach with as much experience and success as Mick," Davis said, "He is exactly what we needed. He can recruit from coast-to-coast and that will really help us out."
Before heading to Oregon, Hokanson was an assistant at UAB from 2001-2005. Prior to that he was the head coach at Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake, Wash from 1998-2001. Hokanson actually started the softball program at Big Bend CC and was named the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC) East Region Coach of the Year in 2001 and Co-Coach of the Year in 1999.
Before his time at Big Bend CC, Hokanson spent seven seasons as an assistant at Western Oregon State College in Monmouth, Ore. During his time there, Western Oregon made two appearances in the NAIA regional tournament.
Hokanson is a native of Gresham, Ore. and received his bachelor of science in education from Western Oregon State College in 1994.
He is married to Emily Barnes and has one son, Aiden James (A.J.).
Hokanson will be arriving to the area over Labor Day weekend and is excited to provide private lessons in all phases of the game except pitching. He is willing to work individually or in a group setting if needed and can be reached through his cell phone at 205-563-9526. Hokanson can also be reached at his office phone. Once he arrives, his office phone number will be listed in the staff directory.
Meanwhile, while the Trojans were hiring a new assistant coach, a former Trojan player and assistant was winning some very prestigious awards.
Former Trojan player and assistant Barb Sherwood currently serves as an assistant coach at Virginia Tech, but also serves as the head coach of the Akron Racers, a team in the National Pro Fastpitch league, the elite professional softball league in the world.
Sherwood's Akron Racers staff received the Diamond Sports 2009 Coaching Staff of the Year Award. The Racers finished second in the NPF regular season standings with a 26-14 record.
"There is no doubt in my mind that Barb is one of the best up and coming coaches in softball today," Davis said, "This award is no surprise to me and I'm extremely proud of the professional accomplishments of this former student-athlete and staff member."
Check back with TroyTrojans.com for more news and notes from the softball diamond as well as all of the latest from Troy Athletics.
