As spring sports arrived, so did a new coach for Rogers’ 2023 varsity fastpitch program. Mike Hawkins takes over head coach and plans for success. Varsity is currently ranked number five in the state with a record of 10-2

After the the resignation head coach Jacy Ramsey at the end of last year’s season, the search for a new coach didn’t begin until the fall this year.

Athletics director Peter Collins took Hawkins into consideration for head coach.

“He certainly had the experience, he had the knowledge about the game, and he had a really good temperament about himself in the interview,” Collins said.

Once Hawkins’ daughter started playing fastpitch, he began coaching and has been coaching the sport ever since. Hawkins has been coaching fastpitch for 20 years, coaching the Washington Lady Hawks fastpitch team along with other youth sports.

As he was coaching for the Lady Hawks, Hawkins attended past varsity games to support his players. He described Rogers as the perfect atmosphere for softball. He knew that if he ever got the opportunity to coach here, he would.

Hawkins enjoys the youthful spirits and the ability to teach younger players to success. He strives to see improvement and the want to improve.

“You just have to build relationships with kids,” Hawkins said. “I think is the most important part is that personal connection.”

Through coaching, Hawkins values hard-working and sportsmanlike qualities in his team and has goals to lead the team towards state playoffs and hopes to eventually win league championships.

He describes his coaching style as aggressive, while also loose and fun, and highlights his focus on speed in both practice and game. Hawkins regarded speed as one of the most important factors, stating, “speed kills.”

While Hawkins doesn’t have a timeline as far as coaching for Rogers, his love for coaching and fastpitch ensures that the Rogers fastpitch team can count on him as a coach for years to come.

“I’m going to be here awhile, I can tell you that,” Hawkins said.