LIVINGSTON, Ala. — University of West Alabama softball coach Janet Montgomery announced the hire of Will Atkinson as assistant softball coach Monday, November 6, 2006.

“I think his resume speaks for itself,” Montgomery said. “He brings in a wealth of softball knowledge and I know he will succeed here. I am pleased to have him in our program and we expect big things from him.”

Atkinson comes to West Alabama from Lambuth University in Jackson, Tenn., where he served as head softball coach. While at Lambuth, Atkinson was responsible for recruitment of prospective student-athletes, organizing and conducting practice, developing and supervising strength and conditioning program, monitoring academic performance, coordinating team travel, scheduling, field maintenance and expense budget management.

During his seven years at Lambuth, Atkinson spent a season as assistant baseball coach and six years at the head softball coach and sports information director.

Atkinson, who works extensive with catchers and infielders, earned Mid-South Conference Co-Coach of the Year in 2005. During his time as coach, he had 31 Mid-South Conference Players, 20 Academic All Mid-South Conference players, four NAIA All-Region XI players, three Lambuth University Female Athlete of the Year (2004, 2005, 2006), one Mid-South Conference Female Scholar Athlete of the Year (2006) and three NFCA Academic All-Americans (2005).

A 1999 graduate of Lambuth University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, Atkinson was a member of the Eagle baseball team. He married the former April Collins of Jackson, Tenn., and they have one daughter, Neely (1).