08/24/05– FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UNIVERSITY OF MOBILE'S BECKY CLARK NAMED USA'S INAUGURAL WOMEN'S SOFTBALL COACH
JAG PROGRAM TO BEGIN COMPETION IN 2006-07
CONTACT: Kevin Beasley

MOBILE, Ala. - University of South Alabama Director of Athletics Joe Gottfried announced Wednesday afternoon at a press conference held in the John Counts room of the Mitchell Center the hiring of Becky Clark as USA's first women's softball head coach.

"We're excited to hire Becky as our first women's softball coach here at South Alabama," said Gottfried. "We are equally excited to go forward and field our first softball team during the 2006-07 season. We did extensive research into each of the applicants and are pleased with our decision to hire coach Clark."

Clark, a native of Brierfield, Ala., recently ended her third season at the University of Mobile after leading the 2005 squad to a 51-13 record and its second consecutive fourth place finish at the NAIA National Tournament.

"I am very excited to become the first women's softball head coach at South Alabama," said Clark. "Obviously there is a lot of work to be done. We have one year to build a softball facility and recruit a team. With so much in front of us, it is going to take a group effort between myself, the administration, and the community. In order for it to be successful, it will have to be a team effort."

"Successful programs start with recruiting. That will be my number one priority as I start this job. My philosophy has always been to recruit student-athletes with character, as well as ability. My goal is to field a team, who will not only win, but will represent the University of South Alabama with class and professionalism."

Overall, Clark has led Mobile to an 156-33-1 record and three national tournament appearances, including a national runner-up finish in 2003.

"I wish I could take credit for the success of the program at Mobile but in fairness it is not mine to take," added Clark. "I was the recipient of many gifted student-athletes who were willing to put in the hours and make the necessary sacrifices in order to compete at a very high level. I was one part of the puzzle. The kids are the ones who were on the field playing the game. They were the ones making things happen."

After serving as an assistant at Mobile under Mary Ann Jennings from 1994-1999, Clark served as the assistant coach at Okaloosa-Walton Community College from 2000-2002. At OWCC, Clark's responsibilities included academic counseling, budgeting, scheduling, travel arrangements, recruiting student-athletes, scouting opponents, practice organization, on-the-field coaching and game management.

Clark also spent the 2000 season as an assistant coach at The Master's College, in Santa Clarita, Calif., where she assisted the head coach in all phases of establishing a first-year softball program.

Clark, who started her collegiate career at Troy University in Troy, Ala., and then transferred to the University of Mobile for her final three years, graduated cum laude in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in Marketing. In 1999, she earned an Master's of Arts in Education, and graduated with honors and a 4.0 grade point average. Among her many accomplishments, Clark was twice named Academic All-American in 1993 and 1994. She was also a member of the NAIA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year in 1998.

The Jaguar program will begin competition during the 2006-07 season and will be an immediate member of the Sun Belt Conference. The Jag program will have eight scholarships the first year which will rise to 10 and 12 each of the following years, respectively.

"Obviously it is going to create more opportunities for local female student athletes," said Clark. "Having a Division I softball program in Mobile will bring exposure to the sport and provide additional opportunities for local athletes. It is a win-win situation for the community."

Clark will now begin recruiting and making a schedule for the 2007 season.

CLARK'S COACHING HIGHLIGHTS:

- Overall coaching record of 156-33-1

- Three straight NAIA National Tournament Appearances, including a runner-up finish in 2003.

- Three straight Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament titles.

- Has coached two GCAC Player's of the Year and three GCAC Pitcher's of the Year.

- 2003 Region XIII Runner-Up Coach of the Year.

- 2003 and 2004 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Coach of the Year.

- Has had six NAIA First-Team All-Americans, six Second-Team All-Americans and three Honorable Mention All-Americans.

- In 2003, Missy Passley was named NAIA Pitcher of the Year.

- Has coached three NAIA Scholar-Athlete All-Americans.

- Best season came in 2003 when the Rams finished 56-7-1.