Jan. 4, 2010

Story courtesy of Oklahoma Wesleyan Sports Information

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. - After a four-year hiatus, the Oklahoma Wesleyan University softball program will return to action during the 2010-11, under the leadership of new head coach T.J. Thomas and assistant coach Brittany Downard.

Coach Thomas, a native of Sapulpa, Okla., is no stranger to Oklahoma Wesleyan University, playing for the Eagle baseball squad from 2003-2007. Following his career as player, Thomas joined the OKWU baseball coaching staff as an assistant.

"When I heard of the plan to bring the softball program back, I jumped at the opportunity to take the reigns," Thomas said. "When I began at OKWU in 2003, our baseball program was coming from humble beginnings.

"Now that I am transitioning to a different diamond, I can look back and see how each year a new foundation was laid, and now I see a successful program. I want to do the same thing for Lady Eagle softball."

Oklahoma Wesleyan president Everett Piper is excited about the possibilities with the reinstatement of the program.

"I'm excited about the reinstatement of Lady Eagle softball," Piper said. "We have been looking for a coach for the past couple years who will be passionate about our Christian mission and recruit within this context and coach Thomas is the man."