HBCU softball HC hired at SWAC division rival

Courtesy of Alabama State Athletics

MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State University Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics announced the hiring of Camise Patterson as the school’s eighth head coach on Friday, July 19, 2024. Alabama State University is a public HBCU in Montgomery, Alabama. Founded in 1867, during the Reconstruction era, it was one of about 180 “normal schools” established by state governments in the 19th century to train teachers for the rapidly growing public common schools.

“I am beyond excited to welcome Camise to the Bama State family,” Cable said. “What she did in a relatively short time at FAMU was remarkable. As we got to know Camise during this process, her core values, passion for the game, and the student-athlete experience directly aligned with what we want to accomplish at ASU. The future of Bama State softball is bright under her leadership.”

Patterson, who replaces Todd Bradley, who stepped away after five seasons for personal reasons , spent the last two seasons at the helm of SWAC East Division rival Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Fla.

“I am deeply honored and grateful to be the next Head Softball Coach at Alabama State University,” Patterson said. “Being able to continue coaching the sport I love is a true blessing from God. I want to extend my sincere thanks to Dr. Cable and the search committee for their confidence in my abilities and this incredible opportunity. I’m excited to build on the program’s past success and look forward to being part of the SWARM!”

The Fuquay Varina, North Carolina, native was named the 2024 SWAC Coach of the Year while guiding the Rattlers to the 2024 SWAC East Division. Pitcher Zoryana Hughes nabbed SWAC Pitcher of the Year honors while five players overall earned All-SWAC laurels.

Overall, FAMU had nine players earn All-SWAC honors and one Pitcher of the Year during her two years in Tallahassee. Six of her players have received invitations to the Minority Prospects HBCU All-Star Game. In June 2024, Patterson was named the weCOACH Coach of the Month.

Patterson has spent most of her career at Florida A&M, except for a brief stop at Bethune Cookman University (2020). During her career at FAMU, she was elevated from a volunteer to assistant coach in 2016 before taking over her current role with the Rattlers in 2022-23. Patterson served as an assistant at FAMU under the legendary Veronica Wiggins, the only HBCU coach to eclipse 700 wins and has the most wins across all of the university’s sports.

As the top assistant, Patterson oversaw the Rattlers’ hitters and outfielders and assisted with day-to-day team operations as Florida A&M won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Championship in 2016 and 2017.

Patterson played Division I softball at Campbell University in Buies Creek, N.C., where she led the Camels with 12 home runs and a .561 slugging percentage as a senior. She graduated from Campbell with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology in 2015.

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