BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Campbell Head Coach Emily Carosone announced the addition of new assistant coach Hannah Sparks to the softball coaching staff.
"We are excited to add Hannah Sparks to our staff along with her expertise," Carosone said. "The knowledge she brings to catching and hitting will help further our players on the field. She's the right fit for this program, and I'm excited to see the positive changes she will bring."
Sparks joins the Camels after serving one year as an assistant coach at Nicholls State University. She had an immediate impact on the Colonels by helping the team to a .321 batting average, a 53-point improvement from the year before and a new program record.
In just her one season with the Colonels, Sparks helped improve their on-base percentage by nearly 60 points, and the team's slugging percentage improved by 28 points. Infielder Claire Sisco was named first team all-conference after leading the Southland Conference in batting average through the regular season.
"I am very excited to be a part of Campbell Softball," Sparks said. "I believe in Coach Carosone's vision for this program, and I am looking forward to working with her and her staff to make that vision a reality. I pray to have a positive impact on the kids that come through this program. I firmly believe that God puts us where we are meant to be, and I can't wait to see what He has in store for all of us at the Creek!"
Prior to her time at NSU, Sparks spent one season as an assistant coach at Auburn. She helped guide the Tigers to a 29-21-1 record against the 11th toughest schedule in the NCAA. The team amassed nine Quad 1 wins, the most since 2018, and its 10th consecutive NCAA Regional appearance.
In the 2023 season, Sparks served as the volunteer assistant coach at her alma mater, Oklahoma. That year, the Sooner staff was recognized as the National Fastpitch Coaching Association Division I Staff of the Year. Sparks helped the Sooners to a 61-1 record, the best winning percentage in NCAA Division I softball history and Big 12 regular season and tournament titles.
Oklahoma led the country in multiple categories, including earned run average (0.96), batting average (.367) and fielding percentage (.988). The Sooners' title run included a 53-game win streak, which set the NCAA record, 35 shutouts, 29 wins by run rule and a 28-0 record versus ranked opponents to set program records.
A nation-leading five Sooners were named NFCA First Team All-Americans during Sparks' stint while eight student-athletes earned All-Big 12 accolades.
Prior to returning to Oklahoma, Sparks spent three seasons as the hitting and catching coach and recruiting coordinator at Pearl River Community College in Poplarville, Mississippi. During the 2021 season, PRCC slugged 43 home runs and held a team batting average of .335 under Sparks.
Sparks began her coaching career as a graduate assistant at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee.
A 2018 graduate of Oklahoma, Sparks was a national champion with the Sooners as a catcher in 2017. The Thomasville, Alabama, native made over 70 appearances at Oklahoma after transferring from Northwest Florida State College where she was an All-American at the NFCAA Division I level. She helped Northwest Florida State to the 2016 Panhandle Conference championship.
