Ladyjack Softball Adds Assistant
8/3/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Aug. 3, 2005
NACOGDOCHES - Fred Gillum joins the Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack softball coaching staff after a successful stint at NCAA Division II Mars Hill College, announced head coach Jenifer Wells Wednesday afternoon.
Gillum comes to Nacogdoches from Mars Hill, N.C., where he coached Mars Hill College for three seasons. During his three seasons at the helm Mars Hill saw an increased number of victories as Gillum became the school's all-time winningest coach.
Gillum's troops raised the standard for success in 2002 by setting a school record for wins in a season. Mars Hill responded to that record-breaking season by going out the following year and setting a new record for wins. Gillum's charges succeeded not only on the field but in the classroom as well. In 2003-2004, the Lions' softball team achieved a 3.01 grade-point average.
During his coaching career, Gillum has made a living out of taking collegiate also-rans and turning them into competitive programs. Gillum began his coaching career at Sue Bennett College and took over a program that went winless in his first season. The following season, Gillum coached the Kentucky school to a 17-win season and a fourth-place finish in the conference tournament. He was named the 1997 Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year for his team's performance.
Gillum has also had a coaching stint in Owensboro, Ky., where he was handed the responsibility of reviving the Kentucky Wesleyan program. In his first season, Kentucky Wesleyan saw a nine game turnaround going from three wins to 12. That win total improved to 16 the following season as Gillum led Kentucky Wesleyan out of the conference cellar.
-SFA-
