Cameron names Brent Shaw head softball coach

LAWTON, Okla. (March 31) – Cameron University athletic department officials announced Thursday the hiring of Brent Shaw as the school’s next head softball coach. An Oklahoma native and assistant coach last season at NCAA Division II National Champion Angelo State University, Shaw will assume his position as the Lady Aggies’ skipper effective Friday, April 1.

“I’m excited to be here. We have a young team and they have a lot of heart,” Shaw said. “To go through the season they’ve been through so far and to still be competing well shows a lot of heart.

“Our goal now is to start building that confidence,” Shaw continued. “That’s one thing I learned at Angelo State – that if you go out there every day believing that you’re going to win, good things will happen.”

Shaw has seen good things happen at virtually every coaching stop he’s made. The Antlers, Okla., native spent one season at Angelo State, serving as the Rambelles’ recruiting coordinator while assisting head coach Travis Scott with all aspects of coaching as the team captured the Lone Star Conference, South Central Region and National Championships. Angelo State was awarded NCAA Division II Coaching Staff of the Year honors last season and two ASU players were named to the National Fast-pitch Coaches Association All-American team. The Rambelles had seven all-LSC picks, including the Pitcher of the Year and the Freshman of the Year in the LSC’s South Division.

Shaw also teamed with Scott for one season at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, helping guide the Lady Savages to the LSC North Division title and an appearance in the South Central Regional Tournament in 2003. Southeastern players picked up a slew of individual awards under Shaw, as well, with three All-Region selections and four All-LSC North picks, including the division’s Pitcher of the Year and Newcomer of the Year.

A 2002 graduate of SOSU, Shaw also had successful coaching stints at Durant Junior High and as a volunteer assistant at Murray State College. He earned his Master’s degree in Health and Physical Education from Southeastern in 2004.

“Brent has a proven track record as a winner and we feel very fortunate to have him leading our softball program,” Cameron athletic director Sam Carroll said. “He reached the ultimate goal, winning a national championship at Angelo State in 2004, and that dedication to success will be an asset to the Cameron softball program.”

Shaw succeeds Gladys Crawford as the Lady Aggies’ head softball coach. This season, Cameron has struggled to an 8-24 record, losing 13 games by two runs or less. The Lady Aggies opened the season with 13 straight losses, but have rallied for an 8-11 record since, including wins in their last three games.

“I’ve seen this team compete very well under difficult circumstances this season,” Shaw said. “They’ve continued to work hard and I’m excited to have the opportunity to start working toward our goal of winning a Lone Star Conference championship.”

Shaw currently resides in San Angelo, Texas. He and his wife Kelli have two sons, Reed, 7, and Braden, 4. He will see his first action as Cameron’s head coach this Saturday, when the Lady Aggies travel to Weatherford to face Southwestern Oklahoma State Univeristy in an LSC North doubleheader expected to begin at 2 p.m.