Haecker takes on top spot with TRM softball
Published 6:00 pm Tuesday, February 7, 2023
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The T.R. Miller softball team is opening the 2023 season with plenty of excitement with the naming of a new coach and the opening of a new softball facility at the school.
Damon Haecker has been named as the new softball coach at T. R. Miller High School. The excitement of the new coach is amplified with the opening of the brand new, state of the art, softball facility. Coach Haecker, (pronounced Heck-er) hails from Orlando, Fla., where he played football and baseball. He was ranked the number one high school quarterback and had offers to play baseball and football. He chose baseball and played at Auburn from 2013-2017. Coach Haecker says,
“Ole Miss called and offered me an assistant softball position in 2017,” Haecker said, “and I haven’t looked back since.”
Haecker’s college roommate was from Brewton and that is how he learned of the winning traditions and commitment to academics and athletics.
When an opening for head softball coach became available, Haecker says he didn’t hesitate in his decision to apply.
“I knew he wanted to put myname in the hat.” He adds, that he can envision he and his wife raising their children here and building a “well respected softball program that helps develop athletes for the next level.”
Everyone in Brewton is excited about the new softball complex but none more than the coaching staff at T. R. Miller.
“there are D1 colleges that don’t have facilities as nice as this,” Haecker said.
And, he said, he plans to maintain the facility going forward.
“Our team will have the work ethic and the pride that leads us to physically keep this facility looking like a product that we will all be proud of for years to come,” Haecker said.
Haecker’s immediate goals for the team is to develop a mindset geared toward success. Showing up on time, being at every practice or game, riding the team bus to and from games, and taking care of the facility are non-negotiables.
Another goal is win at regionals which has been a stumbling block for T. R. Miller the past few years.
Finally, Haecker plans to lean on the leadership of established juniors and seniors such as Peyton Myrick, Katelyn Barnett, Belle Walker, Kinsley Byrd, and Rebekah Rowell. Coach says, “with leaders such as these, the sky is the limit.”