Big News for Carolina Elite Softball / Coach Chris Hawkins

Very exciting news for our organization as Chris Hawkins brings his experience and knowledge of the college game to our travel program! Our organization founder Bryan Pack from USC Upstate will remain just as involved as he has been in the past! Any inquiries about our team should still be directed to Bryan. (See try out posting)


Hawkins Signs On As Head Coach Of S.C. Elite Travel Ball
16-year coaching veteran returns to travel ball coaching ranks in addition to his Upstate duties.

Chris Hawkins is in his 16th season as head coach at Upstate.

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.

http://upstatespartans.cstv.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/081909aaa.html

 

From time to time I hear people discussing TB coaches being paid to coach. I'm aware that many coaches are reimbursed for expenses.

If it's true that coaches are paid I would think that the team in this thread would possibly be one of those.

Does anyone know of any coaches that are paid? Beyond expense reimbursement?

 

Not sure on 18 Gold

The 16U coaches are not paid. Some expenses are. I am aware of teams where the coaches are paid that aren't part of the Elite. One team that I won't mention the name of has a $1000 fee per player for coaches pay not counting paid expenses. This team is not in SC or NC.

 

Many

There are many coaches being paid throughout the country, recruiting services linked to teams that get paid, and lots of other deals, so this is not a new thing. College coaches, except at the elite programs are paid less than most secretaries, CNA's, laborers, restaurant workers (just examples no harm meant) yet are required to have a degree and in many cases a masters so they have to work camps, give lessons, or coach a travel team to make a few extra dollars to support their family or heck just to pay the rent. Like teachers, in most cases they are vastly underpaid. Most do it because they truly love the game and the teaching of the kids that play for them.
Some examples: D-11 softball program in SE is paying $24,000 for a HEAD COACH, another D-11 pays less than $20,000 for assistant. These are actual teams and salaries. A D-1 in Midwest offering $28,000.
Good luck to Chris, he is a whale of a Coach!