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Pickett Joins Lady Tiger Softball Coaching Staff
Sept. 6, 2006
Complete Release in PDF Format
For Immediate Release MEMPHIS - University of Memphis head softball coach Windy Thees announced today the hiring of former UT-Chattanooga assistant coach Donald Pickett. Pickett joins the Lady Tiger staff after spending eight seasons as a member of Frank Reed's coaching staff, most recently serving five years as an assistant at Chattanooga. A native of Chattanooga, Pickett previously worked three seasons at Chattanooga State with Reed before following his mentor to UTC. With Memphis, he will work closely with the hitters and outfielders. "We're excited to add Pickett to our staff," Thees said. "He has an amazing reputation in the softball world; in both the state of Tennessee and also throughout the country. We look forward to the offensive knowledge he will bring to our program." With the Lady Mocs, Pickett coached the infielders and hitters. The team ranked in the top 10 nationally by the NCAA for fielding percentage four times during his stint with the program. While at Chattanooga, the program won two regular season Southern Conference season titles, three conference tournament championships and advanced to the NCAA tournament three times, posting an overall record of 210-126. Pickett served as an assistant coach during Reed's final three seasons at Chattanooga State. While with the Lady Tigers, the program captured three region championships, three state championships and advanced three times to the national junior college tournament. The Lady Tigers finished in the top-five in all three years. Pickett helped CSTCC go 62-3 in 2001, and the team's three-year record was 151-27. "The thing I am most excited about is his character," Thees said. "He is highly respected by those he has coached with and coached against. He's been a part of a winning program at UTC and Chattanooga State coaching for one of the best coaches in the Southeast in Frank Reed. We're excited that he'll bring that coaching knowledge to Memphis." In 2002, Pickett was inducted into the Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame and in 2000, Reed's staff at Chattanooga State was honored as the National Fastpitch Coaching Staff of the Year. "I'm excited to be here," Pickett said. "Last year was the first year of the program here at Memphis, and I think Windy (Thees) has things headed in the right direction. Hopefully, we can continue to build on the foundation she has laid." A graduate of UT-Chattanooga, Pickett received his degree in exercise science and leisure. The 28-year old is engaged to Paige Cochrane, and the couple plan to be married later in September. Pickett replaces Dave Majeski who took the head coaching job at Presbyterian College, an NCAA Division II affiliate in South Carolina.
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Memphis Tigers
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