Tusculum Hires Fred Gillum as Softball Coach

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Fred Gillum has been named the new softball coach at Tusculum College announced athletic director Ed Hoffmeyer.

Gillum replaces Wes Holly, Jr., who stepped down as the Pioneers' head coach last month after two seasons at the Greeneville, Tenn. school.

Gillum brings over eight years of collegiate head coaching experience, including four seasons at South Atlantic Conference rival Mars Hill College. He has recorded 116 career wins, including 73 victories at Mars Hill, making him the winningest coach in that program's history. In 2005, the Lions recorded 25 wins, establishing a new single-season record at MHC.

The 1986 Cumberland College graduate comes to Tusculum from Limestone College where he served this past fall as an assistant coach. Prior to that, he served on the coaching staff at NCAA Division I Stephen F. Austin University during the 2005-06 campaign.

"I've known Fred for several years and have always been impressed with him as a person as well as a quality coach," said Hoffmeyer. "To be able to attract someone with his experience in the middle of the year will keep our program heading in the right direction. His knowledge of the South Atlantic Conference and what it takes to be successful in our league will help our players in their development. We look forward to working with Fred and celebrating our future success under his direction."

Coach Gillum has made a habit out of building programs into respectable and competitive squads. His first softball assignment was at Sue Bennett College in London, Ky. where he also served as the offensive coordinator for Dragons football team as well as the school's sports information director. In his first season at Sue Bennett, Gillum finished a rain-shortened schedule 0-15. In his next season at the Kentucky school, his squad finished 17-31 with a surprising fourth place showing at the conference tournament. For going from zero wins to 17 wins, his peers voted him the 1997 Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. Two of his players earned All-KIAC honors while his team led the nation in stolen bases (113).

After giving up football to coach softball full-time, Gillum accepted the head coaching job at Kentucky Wesleyan University to rebuild its program. The year before Gillum arrived in Owensboro, the Panthers finished 3-22 and didn't complete their season due to injuries. His first KWC team won only 12 games in the always-tough Great Lakes Valley Conference, but made improvement and finished out of the cellar. His next team won four more games with continued improvement while missing the conference playoffs by just one game. His center fielder, Sandy Nevy, earned All-GLVC and NFCA All-Region honors.

"I'm very excited about this opportunity and looking forward to get started," said Gillum. "I've always admired Tusculum College over the years and their commitment to success both academically and athletically. I look forward to becoming a part of the Tusculum Pioneer family."

Following Gillum's second season at Kentucky Wesleyan, he received a call from Mars Hill to revive the Lion softball program. In the 2002 season, Coach Gillum led his team to a 15-30 record with Jennifer Wilson and Deanna Hinson being named to the All-SAC teams. His second season on the "Hill" saw the Lions improve again with a 21-30 finish with Audrey Riffel and Tessa Ashwell earning All-SAC honors.

In 2004, the Lions suffered an injury plagued campaign to finish 12-47 overall, before posting a 13-win improvement in 2005.

In his four years at the Mars Hill, N.C. school, five of his players earned All-Conference recognition, including two All-SAC First Team selections. His players also shined off the diamond as his teams boasted a team grade point average of 3.00 or better during his tenure with the Lions while 14 of the 18 seniors who completed their eligibility at Mars Hill, graduated.

Gillum has served on the NCAA Division II South Atlantic Region Advisory Committee (2004, 2005) and the NFCA Division II Top 25 Rating Committee (2005). In 2005, he served as the NCAA representative for the South Atlantic Region Tournament, held in Kennesaw, Ga.

During the summer months, he works a number of softball camps and has served as an instructor at the Blue-Chip Fastpitch Showcase, Cumberland College Softball Camp, Championship Softball Camps, Kennesaw State University Softball Camp, Coastal Carolina University Softball Camp, Kentucky Wesleyan College Softball Camp, Sue Bennett College Softball Camp, Carolina's Blue-Chip Camp and the Michigan Merchant's Elite Hitting Camp.

Tusculum opens its 2007 season on Feb. 10 when the Pioneers host Lees-McRae College at Edmonds Field.

Tusculum College, located in Greeneville, Tenn., is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, USA and is a NCAA Division II member of the South Atlantic Conference which is comprised of nine colleges and universities in Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.