Amy Hooks has proven her value as she finished her sixth season as assistant coach with the Northwestern State softball program.
Hooks has been on staff for all five of NSU’s Southland Conference Tournament appearances in the last six seasons, and the Lady Demons blasted away program records in the process. NSU has had five winning seasons in that six-year window including three 30-win seasons.
She works closely with the infield and catchers, calls pitches and also puts together NSU’s annual softball banquet fundraiser.
Hooks helped Cayla Jones to arguably the best freshman season in NSU history in 2018 after working with the likes of Kellye Kincannon, Brittney Jones and Cassandra Barefield -- who combined for five NSU career hitting marks.
She called pitches for Micaela Bouvier and Mikayla Brown in 2018, who combined for 24 wins and four saves.
In 2016, NSU hit 56 home runs, which ranks third in program history, en route to a 27-25 record that included wins against a receiving votes Mississippi State, Big 12 member Oklahoma State and a powerful Texas State squad.
Hooks was part of NSU’s resurgence from 2013-15, including the second-best three-year window in program history with a 106-55 record (.658 winning percentage).
That stretch is highlighted by a regular season Southland Conference championship in 2015 and two conference tournament titles with NCAA Tournament appearances in 2013 and 2014.
In 2014, Northwestern State posted the fewest number of errors (49) and highest fielding percentage (.965) among the conference’s 12 competing schools. NSU catchers finished the season tied for third, throwing out 17 runners.
In 2015, Hooks aided the development of first-year starters at shortstop, second base, both leading pitchers and the catcher – including four of those five being freshmen.
Hooks, a native of Mesquite, Texas (North Mesquite HS), is a 2011 graduate of the University of Texas.
She finished her career as Texas' leader in career home runs with 36, also ranking 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 in all but one of 175 games.
Her accolades include 2011 All-Big 12 first-team, 2011 Big 12 Player of the Year, 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 a .639 slugging average, while posting a .996 fielding percentage behind the plate.
During her junior year, she boasted a .347 average with 11 homers, a .473 on-base percentage, .639 slugging and .991 fielding percentage.
Hooks led Texas to the NCAA Regional Championships in all four of her seasons.
“Amy has added a lot of energy to our staff. She carries a lot of knowledge and is a big help in recruiting in this region, and we’re excited to have her part of our staff,” said NSU head coach Donald Pickett.
Hooks competed in the National Pro Fastpitch league for the NY/NJ Comets during the summer of 2013, aiding the Comets in a number of wins over the four-team league competitors. She started her professional career in 2012 with the Carolina Diamonds.
The catcher also played nationally for the Texas Glory Gold out of McKinney, Texas, for head coaches Kevin Shelton and Dan Adkins.
She is the daughter of Ricky and Sandi Hooks and has two older sisters, Terri Hooks and Kristi Gregory.
Hooks graduated from Texas with a degree in kinesiology (minor in education) and was a three-time Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll selection.
