Umsl's new womens softball head coach, Brian Levin.
The Women’s Softball program at the University of Missouri – St. Louis welcomes Head Coach Brian Levin for the 2010 season.
Coach Levin comes to UM – St. Louis from Murray State University, an NCAA Division I school where he led the team to a 22-29 record and a fifth place Ohio Valley Conference title. Levin takes the place of former UM-St. Louis Head Softball Coach, Coach Sosnowski, who spent two years assisting at UM-St. Louis before holding the head coach position for five years.
“As we look at coaches, our goal is to give our players the best opportunities,” Lori Flannigan, UM – St. Louis Athletic Director, said. “We tried to bring in some of the same background and model after the previous coach, to keep building on the program. Coach Levin understands work ethic, and has a strong background in baseball.”
The Granite City, Illinois native brings a variety of expertise to the UM – St. Louis Women’s Softball program. Levin held the title of two-time all conference player at Peru State College, where he played both baseball and football and earned the title of All-American place-kicker. After college Levin went on to be an All-Conference baseball player in Nebraska, and to play semi-professional baseball in St. Louis.
Levin has spent the last 20 years in the military, where he earned his master’s degree from North Central University in sports management and leadership. During this time, Levin volunteered to coach baseball and softball, as well as football at Ft. Campbell High School in Ft. Campbell, Kentucky.
In addition to experience, Levin also brings his own research-based instructional coaching method to UM – St. Louis. He has headed numerous clinics, mainly focused on the fundamentals of effective hitting.
Levin founded and studied his own method of instruction, STAAR, where he studied still pictures of hitters and applied what he found to his coaching, and was active in Clarksville, Tennessee in the ASA Clarksville Heat Softball Organization. He published seven articles while a member in the National Fast Pitch Coaches Association, one of which he received feedback from Tim Walton, Head Coach of the University of Florida Gators softball team.
Now that Levin is at UM – St. Louis, he has a plan to build on the success of Tritons Softball. “In Division II athletics, a lot of success depends on recruitment. He’s bringing in competitive players, and developing pitchers and hitters,” Lori Flannigan said. “Our overall goal is that [our] teams finish in the top four in our conference.”
Levin said he has the competitive nature that is vital to making that happen, as well as a respect for the overall athletic program at UM – St. Louis. “People here are quality coaches; the athletic program stands out in the area,” Brian Levin, UM – St. Louis Women’s Softball Head Coach, said.
Levin plans to bring out the highest potential in the returning athletes, and cultivate a strong core for the team. With four seniors, one junior, and one starting sophomore returning, the team looks to be a powerhouse this season. “We’ve got a good nucleus; we just have to find the right mix.” Levin said. “With the girls that are returning, we’re looking for a strong leadership role. These girls will be the mentors.”