PROVO -- Elaine Michaelis, Director of Women's Intercollegiate Athletics, announced today the hiring of Gordon Eakin as BYU's head softball coach. Eakin, a former member of the United States Pan American Fast Pitch Softball Team, has been an assistant coach at BYU since the softball program's inception in 1999.
"We are thrilled to announce Coach Eakin as our new head softball coach," said Michaelis. "He is an excellent recruiter, teacher, organizer, communicator and student of the game. As we went through the interview process, it was obvious that he is well respected in collegiate and international softball circles."
Eakin brings vast experience in softball to his new post at BYU. In addition to winning a silver medal in the 1994 Pan American Games, Eakin participated in three U.S. Olympic Sports Festivals winning gold (1994), silver (1993) and bronze (1986) medals. He is also a two-time member of the International Softball Congress All-World Team and was a three-time member of the Amateur Softball Association All-America Team.
Eakin played shortstop on the Larry H. Miller Toyota Fast Pitch Softball Team that was ranked among the Top 10 in the world. He was inducted into the Utah Fast Pitch Hall of Fame in 1998.
"I'm excited for the opportunity to be a part of the softball program at BYU," said Eakin. "I feel good about the foundation that has been established over the past three seasons. We have a solid nucleus of players at BYU. I believe we can become one of the premier programs in the country."
In addition to his softball background, Eakin more than three years of professional baseball in the Oakland Athletics organization from 1979 to 1982. Before signing a professional baseball contract, Eakin played baseball at the University of Utah for three seasons under Tom Kilgore.
Prior to coming to BYU, Eakin was a business development manager with the Larry H. Miller Group in Salt Lake City, where he was responsible for hiring, training and developing the sales staff. He also managed customer relations. Eakin joined the LHM Group in 1992. From 1982-91 he was a limited partner in the NIKA 3 Corporation.
Eakin has participated in numerous softball clinics around the state of Utah and is a member of the Utah Professional Baseball Players Association. He is married to Barbi Myers Eakin.