USC-Upstate head coach Chris Hawkins recorded his 1,000th career win on Sunday afternoon.
The veteran Spartans leader collected the milestone victory in a win over Florida International in Deland, Florida. The win moved Hawkins’ club to 18-1 on the 2022 season.
As the Upstate skipper celebrates the milestone win, here are Five Fast Facts about him and his career.
1. He is in his 29th season leading the Upstate program.
Hawkins took the helm of the Upstate softball program in 1993 and has led the program ever since. His head coaching career has come entirely at Upstate, and he reached the 900-win milestone during the 2019 season.
2. He has won more than 70% of his games as a head coach.
After recording the milestone win on Sunday, Hawkins’ career record moved to 1,000-405-1, giving him a winning percentage of .711 and making him officially the victor in more than 70% of the games he has coached.
3. He has shepherded the program through numerous transitions.
Whether from Division II to Division I, or from one D1 conference to another, Hawkins has led the Upstate program through many changes during his tenure. The Spartans moved up from Division II in the mid-2000s and moved from the ASun to the Big South in the 2010s – Hawkins’ program enjoyed success before and after each transition.
4. He is a member of the Upstate Hall of Fame.
In addition to this coaching prowess at Upstate, Hawkins was a standout baseball players at the school and was inducted into the Upstate Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003 for his exploits on the baseball diamond. He was part of the Spartans’ first varsity baseball team in 1986 and was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 1985 and the Houston Astros in 1987.
5. His coaching success extends beyond softball.
Hawkins’ career as head softball coach began in 1993 – following four years as an assistant coach – and in 1994, he also served as the interim head volleyball coach, where he led that program to a 38-4 record and their second-consecutive Peach Belt Conference championship.