Prosek takes over a Marian squad that finished 19-25 last season.. (Photo courtesy of Marian College)

University of Kentucky assistant named Marian's head softball coach
FOND DU LAC, Wis. -- Brett Prosek was named the next head softball coach at Marian College on Friday, July 14th. Prosek, the daughter of former Appleton West High School baseball coach Bruce Erickson, spent the past season as an assistant head coach at the University of Kentucky. In addition to her coaching responsibilities at Kentucky, Prosek was primarily responsible for team travel, camps/clinics, and community service. Prior to that, Prosek was a head softball coach at both Neenah High School (2003) and Appleton West High School (2002). In 2001, Prosek served as a volunteer coach at her alma matter, the University of Arkansas.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to be in charge of my own program at the collegiate level,” stated Prosek. “This has been a goal of mine for a long time and I am thrilled to be able to come back home and continue on with another journey in my life. The SEC conference is highly respected and continues to improve in all aspects; therefore I was grateful to be a part of it. However family is one of the most important aspects in my life and I see no better opportunity than to fulfill the vacancy at Marian College and bring my family back to the Fox Valley and continue to pursue the career and sport I have a tremendous passion for.”

Prosek, a standout at Appleton West High School, was a three-year letterwinner in softball, basketball, and volleyball. She continued her playing career at the University of Arkansas (1996-2000), where she was part of the first-ever recruiting class at Arkansas. She was named All-SEC twice and was a two-time member of the SEC All-Tournament team. Prosek was also named to the NCAA Tournament Team. She helped rewrite the record books at the University of Arkansas as she set the record for hits in a season with 80 in 2000. The utility player set single-season records for doubles (20) and total bases (106) and is tied for the most games started with 75 in 1999. Prosek also ranks among career leaders in several categories, including assists (2nd with 459), walks (3rd with 49), triples (3rd with five), batting average (4th at .294), doubles (4th with 35), hits (4th with 184), and RBIs (5th with 56). She graduated with a Kinesiology degree in 2003.

“We are very excited with the energy, knowledge, and experience that Brett will bring to Marian college from her successful softball career,” stated Marian College athletic director Doug Hammonds. “As the process unfolded, we had a number of qualified candidates and we were pleased to see that Brett rose to the top of a very competitive national search,” Hammonds went on to say.

Prosek is no stranger to the diamond as both her father and brother have both left their mark in baseball. Her father, Bruce, served as a high school baseball coach and teacher for over thirty years and led the Terrors to four WIAA Division 1 state titles. He is currently a volunteer assistant coach at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Her older brother, Matt Erickson, is currently playing Triple-A baseball for the Arizona Diamondbacks after making his major league debut for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2004. Brett's mother also resides in the Fox Valley area.

“Brett is very personable and has a great knowledge of the game, which we believe will help her be very successful here at Marian College as we start our new journey in the Northern Athletics Conference,” stated Hammonds. “We will give her every opportunity to succeed here at Marian College.”

Hammonds also noted that he sees her as a potential excellent recruiter. “Her ties to the Fox Valley and the state of Wisconsin could prove to be a key ingredient for her success here at Marian College,” stated the athletic director. “She is someone who will be able to relate very well to the student-athletes having been in that position herself at the Division 1 level at Arkansas.

Prosek and her husband, Andy, have a two-year-old son, Drew. Included in her job responsibilities, Prosek will also serve as the women's golf coach.

Prosek stated that she hopes she can attract the whole Fond du Lac community to the Marian softball program. “I want to make the program fun and attractive to all different ages and get the community involved,” stated Prosek. “Attracting a large number of fans and supporters to the stadium makes it fun for all parties involved.”

Release courtesy of Marian College, Sports Information Department, July 19 2006.