Alicia Hollowell was a member of Team USA from 2005 to 2008, and was an alternate on the 2008 Olympic team. Photo by Kyle Terada-US PRESSWIRE
Former Arizona All-American Alicia Hollowell, who has spent the past two seasons coaching at UC-Davis, is returning to the Wildcats in a non-coaching role.
She will join the program Aug. 8 in a newly created director of operations role, head coach Mike Candrea announced Thursday.
“Alicia gives us another resource and great mind in getting our team ready to compete,” Candrea said in a news release.
“We’re fortunate to have her back. She won’t have coaching responsibilities, but her expertise in the video area will free us up to do more coaching. This is a position I’ve wanted for many, many years.”
According to the news release:
“Much of Hollowell’s responsibilities will include the direction of the program’s video efforts, including recording and breakdown of practice footage and opponent scouting. She also will handle a wealth of office duties, recruiting correspondence, community service coordination and scheduling and team travel.”
Late last season, Candrea often referred to his belief that his team lacked a certain mental toughness and competitiveness … and he usually mentioned Hollowell as one who had both of those things as a player. Even in her non-coaching role, perhaps those attributes can rub off on the 2012 Wildcats.
Hollowell, who capped her career in 2006 by leading Arizona to the national title, is the Wildcats’ career leader in victories (134), innings pitched (1,122) and strikeouts (1,768). She threw 17 no-hitters.
Her addition is part of a busy offseason for Arizona, which has added former Arizona catcher and assistant coach Stacy Iveson to the staff. Iveson, who won two NJCAA national titles — two at Pima Community College and two at Yavapai — replaces pitching coach Teresa Wilson.
Arizona also has added Tennessee slugger Jessica Spigner, who is eligible to play next season.