| Title: | Head Coach |
| Phone: | (269) 337-5758 |
| Email: | melanie.hamlin@kzoo.edu |
Melanie (Hamlin) Rushing was introduced as Kalamazoo College’s first full-time head softball coach on August 11, 2014.
A graduate of the University of Redlands (Calif.), Rushing came to Kalamazoo from Jacksonville University where she assisted the NCAA Division I Dolphins as a graduate assistant the past two seasons.
Prior to Jacksonville, Rushing 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, Rushing has coached 13 all-conference players, one conference player of the year, and one conference rookie of the year.
Rushing played softball all four years at Redlands and helped the Bulldogs win the first four of a current consecutive streak of 10 conference championships. Rushing played multiple positions including shortstop and helped the team compile a record of 125-45 as a player.
Rushing 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, Rushing taught physical education and sport psychology courses at Jacksonville.
Melanie and her husband, Bryan, reside in Kalamazoo.
Getting to know Coach Rushing
Hobbies/Interests: I love puzzles, bowling, and any kind of game.
Favorite Part of Coaching: Helping my student-athletes improve physically and mentally.
Hero: John Wooden
Favorite Sports Team (besides Kalamazoo): Each team I have coached and played for in the past.
Favorite Song: Hakuna Matata
Favorite Music Artist: Michael Jackson
Favorite Movie: The Avengers
Favorite Food: Anything delicious
Super power of choice: The ability to fly!
Did you know?
1) I have sky-dived from the highest elevation allowed in the states.
2) I have been to 14 European countries.