Rio Grande's Hammond named RSC Coach of Character 2017-18
MIDDLETOWN, Ohio -- University of Rio Grande (Ohio) softball head coach Chris Hammond was bestowed with the River States Conference Coach of Character Award for the 2017-18 academic year. Hammond, in his third year with the RedStorm, was named the award winner after a vote of the Champions of Character liasions from the RSC's 13 member institutions.
The RSC Coach of Character Award is patterned after the NAIA award of the same name and is given annually to a head coach who has been outstanding in embracing the five core values of the NAIA's Champions of Character initiative, using methods of teaching character through sport and in community leadership through volunteering or service.
The five core values of Champions of Character are respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship. It is the third year that the conference has named a winner of this award with it being first established in 2015-16. As the conference winner, Hammond is the RSC's nominee for the NAIA Coach of Character Award.
Hammond was nominated for the award by his RSC softball colleague Joe Witten, the head coach at IU Southeast. Witten wrote, "I have found that (Chris) is reliable, honest, approachable and a dependable colleague. He goes beyond the call of duty, which, motivates and elevates others around him to be great. He not only leads the team, he leads others by his example physically and mentality. He prepares his field and helps with other fields when on the road if playing surfaces need attention. He is a must for any team/program."
In his essay as part of the nomination, Hammond wrote, "Each student-athlete comes to the program with character traits instilled by family and environment. As a coach, I hope to build on the positive, and each student-athlete learns to demand more of herself than coaches even expect...All of this demands responsibility, accountability, respect and leadership from each team member. As the season continues, we try to demonstrate these traits during practices, games, and interactions with opposing teams, coaches and officials.
Hammond, who captured his third straight RSC Coach of the Year award after leading the RedStorm to the RSC regular-season and tournament championships, has guided Rio Grande to a national tournament appearance in each of his three seasons. Entering the 2019 season, Hammond has a career record of 123-32 with the RedStorm.
RIVER STATES CONFERENCE COACH OF CHARACTER AWARD WINNERS
2015-16 -- Samantha DeMartine (Asbury University), Softball Head Coach
2016-17 -- Tiffani Selhorst (IU East), Women's Basketball Head Coach
2017-18 -- Chris Hammond (Rio Grande), Softball Head Coach