BANNOCKBURN, Ill. --- Trinity International athletics department is excited to announce the hiring of
Jeff Hankins as the twenty-first head coach of the TIU softball program.
Hankins, a native of Hillsdale, Michigan, comes to TIU after most recently serving as the assistant softball coach at Olivet College (NCAA DIII) where he aided in the day-to-day operations of the program, including planning practices and recruiting while training players that have since been able to transfer to higher divisions of competition.
Prior to his time at Olivet, Hankins served as the recruiting coordinator at Miami University-Hamilton (USCAA) where he was tasked with coordination of all recruiting efforts, including organizing campus visits and tours and internal communications. His other collegiate head coaching history includes stints at Owens College and Jackson College, both members of the National Junior College Athletics Association.
Acting Athletic Director Luke Ward led the search for the head coach position."We're excited to hire Coach Hankins. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position," said Ward. "I really appreciate his energy, enthusiasm, and passion for creating a new culture for our softball program focused on building champions for Christ."
Along with his skills and experience as a recruiting coordinator, Hankins has a considerable network to draw from as he has coached at a variety of high school programs throughout Michigan. He'has also coordinated and ran travel tournaments for FASST Softball for the last twelve years and founded the All-American City Baseball Classic. When he is not coaching, Hankins still finds himself drawn to the diamond where for the last 25 years he has worked behind the plate as an umpire.
Upon being hired at TIU, Hankins exclaimed, "I thank God for the opportunity to be at a Christian university. It's a real blessing to be able to incorporate my faith into practices, team meetings, and other daily operations of the program. I'm excited for this opportunity!"
Hankins has lived in Michigan for more than 40 years. He has twins, Corey and Cody Hankins, who live and work in Michigan along with his dog, Polly. Hankins has already arrived on campus and is eager to get rolling with his new team.
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Trinity International University is a comprehensive, national university affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of America and located in Bannockburn, Illinois, 25 miles north of Chicago. TIU educates men and women to engage in God's redemptive work in the world by cultivating academic excellence, Christian faithfulness, and lifelong learning.
