Hutchins Receives Prestigious Award from Alma Mater
4/25/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan softball head coach Carol Hutchins, who distinguished herself athletically as both a softball and basketball player for Michigan State from 1976-79, has been chosen as the 2003 recipient of the Nell Jackson Award. The Award is considered the highest honor the Michigan State Varsity "S" Club can give a female alum whose career since graduating from Michigan State has been noted for its professional accomplishments as well as an extensive track record of community service. Hutchins graduated from Michigan State in 1979 with a bachelor's degree in physical education before earning her Master's degree in physical education from Indiana in 1981.
"I consider this a great honor and am very humbled to win an award named for Nell Jackson, who I hold in very high regard and is one of the main reasons I attended Michigan State," said Hutchins. "Nell (Jackson) is one of the pioneers of women's athletics and it makes me very proud to be associated with an award in her honor."
Hutchins' coaching accomplishments are well documented and most recently include becoming just the 14th coach in NCAA Softball Division I history to reach 800 career wins on April 25, 2003, with a 2-1 win over Wisconsin. However, it is her work with organizations such as the From the Heart Foundation, which allows her student-athletes an opportunity to mentor, tutor and comfort children afflicted with cancer and other life-threatening diseases at Mott's Children Hospital in the University of Michigan hospital that set her career apart.
Other community service efforts include an annual donation from the Michigan softball team to Ann Arbor Hospice based on how many pledges her players collect for running in the annual "Turkey Trot" race over the Thanksgiving holiday. Michigan softball players have also been heavily involved in the Toys for Tots program, which collects gifts for the area's underprivileged children during the holiday season.
On the playing field Hutchins has become the winningest coach in Michigan Athletics history with 786 career wins, has guided the Wolverines to eight Big Ten regular-season championships in the last 11 seasons and has led the Maize and Blue to six Women's College World Series appearances, including the last two in 2001 and '02.
Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423
