Baseball Coaching Staff Changes Announced

[mickeyb]

Thought it was interesting no one mentioned this yesterday.  Congrats to Neill and Hickman, two former ORU baseball greats who definitely deserve this!

http://orusports.com/2006/08/17/basebal ... announced/

Baseball Coaching Staff Changes Announced

08/16/2006

TULSA?Oral Roberts University baseball head coach Rob Walton recently announced changes to the baseball coaching staff. Volunteer assistant Ryan Neill has been promoted to a full-time position, and former ORU standout Brian Hickman has been added to the staff as volunteer assistant.

"Even though they're both young coaches, Ryan and Brian are both enthusiastic about, and committed to, our program," said Walton. "As alums, they have a lot invested in the University and the program. It's great for our current guys to have two former players on staff that they can look to for guidance about baseball and school. Ryan and Brian are a big part of our past and a big reason why we've reached our current level of success."

Neill spent the previous three seasons in a volunteer capacity, serving as ORU's first base coach, outfield coach and primary grounds keeper. His new role will allow him to become more actively involved in off-campus recruiting. During his playing days, Neill was a third-team All-American in 1999, played three seasons in the Detroit Tigers organization after they drafted him in the 24th round in 2000.

"Ryan's promotion is well-deserved," said Walton. "He's committed to the job and knows what it takes to help us reach our goals. He's going to do a fantastic job."

Neill is ORU's all-time leader in home runs (48) and RBI (199).

Hickman spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach at Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton. Before arriving at Eastern, Hickman spent the 2004 season as a volunteer assistant coach at the University of Oklahoma. He recently completed a stint as an assistant coach for the Alaska League champion Peninsula Oilers, helping guide the team to an NBC World Series appearance.

"Brian is going to be a great asset to our team and staff," said Walton. "He brings the same enthusiasm and energy he played with to coaching. For a young coach he has a lot of knowledge about the game. He brings qualities to our staff which we need."

Hickman was a two-year letterwinner at catcher for the Golden Eagles, earning all-conference honors in each season. He signed as a free agent with the Chicago White Sox following his ORU career and spent two seasons in the minors.

At ORU, Hickman will coach ORU's catchers in addition to assisting with on-campus recruiting.

The baseball coaching staff now has a strong balance, with ORU graduates Hickman and Neill along side former Oklahoma State stars Walton and top assistant Ryan Folmar.

"I like the diversity of our staff," said Walton. "All four coaches have played at the professional level and have had good success as players and coaches on the collegiate level. I'm looking forward to working with this coaching staff."

--ORU--