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Lamar University

Lamar University Athletics
 211 Redbird Lane Beaumont, TX 77710
Division 1 Texas South
Public Medium Not categorized
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Coaches

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Amy Hooks

Amy Hooks was hired to take over the Lamar University softball program in June 2018. She comes to Beaumont after spending the previous six seasons as an assistant at Northwestern State, where she helped guide the Demons to their best three-year run in program history.


Hook’s primary focus with the Demons was on player development related to catchers, defense, hitting and the mental aspects of the game. She was also charged with recruiting for the states of Texas, Colorado, California, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Utah.


During her time in Natchitoches, La., Hooks played a key role in Northwestern State’s resurgent program beginning in 2013. During that time Northwestern State won a Southland Conference regular-season title, two conference tournament titles and advanced to the NCAA Championships in 2013 and 2014. The Demons finished no worse than second in the league standings, while recording two 30-win seasons and a 40-win campaign. In all, Northwestern State won more than 100 games and posted a .658 winning percentage from 2013-15, which stands as the best three-run in Demons’ history.


All totaled, Northwestern State won 93 Southland Conference games during Hooks’ six-year run in Natchitoches while posting a .588 winning percentage.


The individual honors received by the Northwestern State players were just as impressive as the team recognition. Hooks helped produce 33 All-Southland Conference honorees, including nine first-team selections, which includes a former league pitcher of the year.


The Demons again qualified for the SLC tournament this past season, despite a youthful roster that consisted of 17 freshmen and sophomores and only two seniors.


Although spending the previous six years in Louisiana, Hooks is no stranger to softball in the state of Texas. A native of Mesquite, Hooks played her collegiate softball at the University of Texas. A standout for one of the nation’s premier programs, Hooks graduated as the school’s all-time leader in home runs, while finishing second in program history in walks, fifth in runs batted in and sixth in runs scored. She also ranked among the school’s all-time top 10 in games played, started, slugging percentage and on-base percentage.


A former All-American and Big 12 Player of the Year, Hooks guided the Longhorns to the NCAA Regional Championships all four seasons. Her playing days extended past her collegiate career as she also competed for the NY/NJ Comets and the Carolina Diamonds of the National Pro Fastpitch league.


Hooks graduated from Texas with a bachelor of science in December 2011, and has completed work toward a master’s degree.

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Tara McKenney

Tara McKenney joined the Lamar University softball staff as its volunteer assistant in August of 2018. She comes to Beaumont with three years of experience as an assistant at a rival Southland Conference school.


“We worked well together at Northwestern State and she will be a great addition to the staff,” stated Coach Amy Hooks. “She knows how I work with the athletes and the style of play and that is why I asked her to come over with me. She works with the infielders and is passionate about softball. She is looking forward to sharing her knowledge of the game with our athletes.”


Prior to Lamar, McKenney spent three seasons as the volunteer assistant at Northwestern State, where she worked with the infield and outfield and instructed in hitting and base running. McKenney also coordinated the Outfield Club Members seasons tickets and meal schedules, the alumni relations and events, and the travel itineraries for the program. McKenney also served as a marketing assistant at the Bank of Montgomery during her time as the volunteer coach at Northwestern State.


McKenney was no stranger to the NSU program before joining as the volunteer assistant coach. She played for the Demons for four seasons, earning NFCA All-South Region honors in 2014 while leading the Demons to SLC tournament championships in 2013 and 2014. She was an All-Southland Conference infielder in 2012, 2013, and 2014 and was named to the SLC All-Tournament team in 2013 and 2014. She holds the highest career batting average in SLC tournament history.

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