NATCHITOCHES – A year after winning Big 12 Player of the Year at the University of Texas, Amy Hooks joins the Northwestern State softball staff as assistant coach, the program announced.
 
The hire is pending approval of the University of Louisiana Board of Supervisors.
 
Hooks, a native of Mesquite, Texas (North Mesquite HS), ranks No. 1 all-time at Texas for career homers with 36. She also ranks second all-time in walks (107), fifth in RBI (110), sixth in runs (110), sixth in games played (219) sixth in games started (214), eighth in slugging percentage (.528) and eighth in on-base percentage (.404).

Over her last three seasons as a Longhorn, Hooks started 174 out of175 games. Her accolades include 2011 All-Big 12 First-Team, 2011 Easton All-America Second-Team, 2011 NFCA All-Central Region Second-Team, 2010 All-Big 12 Second-Team and 2009 Academic All-Big 12 Second-Team.
 
As a senior, she hit for a .333 average with 13 homers, .459 on-base percentage and .639 slugging while posting a .996 fielding percentage behind the plate. During her junior year, she boasted a .347 average with 11 homers, .473 on-base percentage, .639 slugging and .991 fielding percentage.
 
Additionally, Hooks led Texas to the NCAA Regional Championships all four years she was there.
 
“Amy will add a lot of energy to our staff. She brings a lot of knowledge and will be a big help in recruiting in this region. We are excited to have her part of our staff and are looking forward to working with her to continue the progress we are making as a program,” said head coach Donald Pickett.
 
The former catcher also played nationally for the Texas Glory Gold out of McKinney, Texas, for head coach Dan Adkins. She guided the club to a 13th place finish at the ASA Gold Nationals in 2007 and a fifth place showing at the 2005 16U ASA Nationals.
 
In high school, Hooks was a three-time All-District 12-5A First Team performer. She won District 12-5A Offensive Player of the Year in 2004 and 2006, and led the district in hitting in 2004 and 2006 with a .600 and .594 average, respectively.
 
She is the daughter of Ricky and Sandi Hooks and has two sisters, Terri Hooks (36) and Kristi Gregory (33). She graduated from Texas with a degree in applied movement science and was a three-time Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll selection.