U.P. native honored as asst. coach of the year

ALMA, Mich. — A U.P. native recently received a special award as Alma College assistant softball coach Phil Hansen has been named the National Fastpitch Coaches Association assistant coach of the year.

Hansen graduated from Ishpeming High School back in 1978 and was a 1983 NMU graduate as well. Hansen has been Alma’s top assistant since 1994.

Assistant Coach Phil Hansen has been recognized for his dedication and hard work to the Alma College Softball program. Today, Sept. 3 the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced the 2015 NFCA assistant coaches of the year. An assistant coach from each NCAA division was selected and Alma’s own Coach Phil Hansen was selected for Division III.

This award salutes the efforts of the coaches from the various NFCA membership categories for their tireless dedication to the sport of softball and to the continued education, growth and development of young women, both on and off the playing field.

Hansen has been the program’s top assistant since 1994 and has played an integral role in the program’s 797-244 record over the last 22 years. Hansen’s responsibilites include but are not limited to recruiting, scouting, practice preparation and player development. Hansen was all in when he first started and continues to do so 22 years later, making vast improvements to the Scots softball program.

Known for his dedication to the program year round, many would wish they had a “Phil Hansen” as their assistant. Hansen not only serves a vital role in the softball program but he juggles his “real” job as the Downtown Development Director in the town of St. Louis, Mich.

Head Coach Denny Griffin stated, “Hansen’s very effective organizational and managerial skills have rubbed off on me, while his best attribute on the field is player development and the way he truly cares for the players.”