MKA Announces New Head Softball Coach
A graduate of William Patterson University, Coach Hill was a former college All-American and was inducted into the William Patterson Hall of Fame in 1998. Coach Hill was the Head Softball Coach at Felician College in Lodi, NJ from 2002-2009 and guided the team to four conference tournament appearances. Prior to coaching the Woman’s Softball Team at Felician, Coach Hill guided the Passaic Valley High School Team to six Passaic County Softball appearances.
Throughout her coaching career, Coach Hill has done an outstanding job of working with young woman to help them reach their potential both on and off the field. Her enthusiastic approach and knowledge of the sport of softball and her rapport with many of our current student athletes made her an ideal candidate for the MKA Head Varsity Softball position. We are excited that she has agreed to take on this responsibility and know that the team is looking forward to working with her next season. With first-hand experience of what it takes to compete and succeed at both the high school and college level, we are confident that Coach Hill will have an immediate impact on our athletes and program and we look forward to her continuing the MKA softball tradition.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank former Head Coach John Odell, for everything he has done for MKA Athletics, specifically our softball program, during the past three years. Coach Odell’s dedication to and enthusiasm for our program and athletes helped lead MKA Softball to three straight NJSIAA Non Public B State Final appearances, capturing two NJSIAA State Championships. Coach Odell is not only a great role model for our student athletes but also has a clear understanding of the role sports play in our students’ lives. Understanding the balance required to be successful in both the classroom and on the field has enabled Coach Odell to earn great respect throughout the MKA community. Coach Odell will continue in his role as a Pre-K teacher at MKA’s primary school (Brookside) and will continue coaching Varsity Volleyball and Varsity Girls’ Basketball.
Biographical information:
Education:
2004-2005 Helma Institute, Saddle Brook, NJ
Certified Massage Therapist
1994-1996 Essex County College, Newark, NJ
Physical Therapy Program
1989-1992 William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ
B.S. in Exercise Physiology
Experience:
2001-2009 Felician College, Lodi, NJ
Head Softball Coach (2002-2009)
Athletic Academic Advisor (2005-2007)
Assistant Athletic Director (2001-2005)
Assistant Softball Coach (2001)
1992-Present Private Instructor – Softball
2000 William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ
Assistant Softball Coach
1994-1999 Passaic Valley High School, Little Falls, NJ
Head Softball Coach
Awards and Accolades:
Inducted into Passaic Valley High School Hall of Fame (2005)
Conference Tournament Appearance (2002, 2004, 2005, 2006)
C.A.C.C. Division II Coach of the Year (2002)
Inducted into William Paterson University Hall of Fame (1998)
Passaic Valley Northern Hills Skyline Division Coach of the Year (1996)
Passaic County Tournament Appearances (1994-1999)
State Finals Team Coach (1994, 1998)
William Paterson University 1st team All Conference and All Region Player (1990)
Named All American Softball Player – First ever at William Paterson University (1990)
Participation:
Class A Women’s Fast Pitch Participant, NY Raiders (1997-Present)