I Committed: Tusculum Adds Hailey Nichols

Hailey Nichols began playing later than most, she says, not picking up a ball until the age of twelve. However, this hasn’t posed a problem for the first-baseman and catcher, as she received and accepted an offer from Tusculum University to continue her academic and athletic career as a Pioneer.

“As soon as I started, I knew I wanted to play at the next level, but I didn’t know much about how to get recruited, so I put my head down and worked,” shared the athlete. “I attended an Elite Softball Recruiting camp at Tusculum where I was first seen by the coaching staff. When I got home that day, I took a virtual tour, looked at the roster size, and browsed the academic programs offered. I instantly saw a program that I wanted to be a part of.”

It was also important for Hailey to be somewhat close to home, honest with herself that anything farther than six hours was not going to be a viable option. Another important aspect she was looking in a college was a community that would support her faith.

Tusculum University checked all of Hailey’s boxes, as it is a private Christian school that is located only an hour and a half away from her parents’ home. So, when she officially entered the recruitment process, she took a visit to the East Tennessee campus.

“I fell in love with the coaches first,” shared Hailey. “I had so much respect for them as soon as we met. I loved the atmosphere of the school and how most of the students there are athletes who support each other. The girls on the team were so friendly and encouraging and the whole place felt like home as soon as I stepped foot on campus.”

On September 8^th, Hailey accepted an offer to play the next four years as a Tusculum Pioneer while on a phone call with Head Coach Julie Huebner and Assistant Coach Eric Krenz.

“I am so excited and blessed to announce that I am committing to Tusculum University!” shared Hailey on social media. “I want to thank Coach J and Coach Krenz for giving me this opportunity. I want to thank God for giving me the ability to play this sport that I love and making all of this possible. Thank you to my parents who have supported me nonstop and who have kept pushing me to keep grinding and not settle. Thank you to all of my coaches and teammates, past and present, for giving me some of the best years of my life. I could not be more excited to continue this sport that has been part of my life for so long. Roll Neers!”

Her Explosion Select coach, Bradley Logan, is extremely excited for the athlete, who he has coached for several seasons.

“She is like having an extra coach on the field, she’s that much of a leader,” said Coach Logan. “Hailey is so smart and she understands the game, knowing what to do in every situation. She gets the strategy aspect and I can’t tell you the last time she had an error on the field. One of our ‘green light’ baserunners, Hailey is competitive and aggressive. She studies, watches pitches, and wants to make the right decisions and that’s why she’s so successful as an athletes. Even if I didn’t coach her, I’d love to watch her play. Hailey is one I’ll watch beyond her career.”

Hailey will graduate from Farragut High School, where she was a TSSAA Division I Class 4A State Champion in 2022, in the spring. At Tusculum University, she will play first base and catch for the Pioneers, and plans to study Elementary Education.

— Regan Weekly/Extra Inning Softball

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