Melanie Hamlin was introduced as Kalamazoo College's first full-time head softball coach on August 11, 2014.
A graduate of the University of Redlands (Calif.), Hamlin comes to Kalamazoo from Jacksonville University where she assisted the NCAA Division I Dolphins as a graduate assistant the past two seasons.
"I am so excited and grateful for the opportunity to be the head softball coach at Kalamazoo College," Hamlin said. "I knew K was the right fit for me after one day on campus and I cannot wait to get the school year started.
"With a great core of student-athletes, top-notch facilities, and an amazing academic experience, this program has what it takes to become a contender in conference once again. I'm very fortunate and proud to be a part of that adventure."
Prior to Jacksonville, Hamlin served as an instructor and coach at HitStreak Fastpitch in Colorado. She also assisted programs at Redlands and California State University – San Bernadino.
In her collegiate coaching positions, Hamlin has coached 13 all-conference players, one conference player of the year, and one conference rookie of the year.
Hamlin played softball all four years at Redlands and helped the Bulldogs win the first four of a current consecutive streak of 10 conference championships. Hamlin played multiple positions including shortstop and helped the team compile a record of 125-45 as a player.
Hamlin earned a bachelor's degree in communicative disorders at Redlands in 2008. She completed a master's degree in sport psychology at the University of Denver in 2012 and recently completed a master's degree in educational leadership and training at Jacksonville University.
In addition to implementing her sport psychology background with her teams, Hamlin taught physical education and sport psychology courses at Jacksonville.
Hamlin expects to begin her duties at Kalamazoo on Sept. 2, 2014.