Gamecock Softball Names Kaela Jackson Volunteer Assistant Coach

Aug. 26, 2014

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina head softball coach Beverly Smith promotes former student-athlete and graduate assistant manager Kaela Jackson to the program’s volunteer assistant coach.

Jackson has spent four years at South Carolina, two years as a player and two more in the dugout as a manager. During her playing days, she earned Capital One Academic All-District 4 accolades, starting 26 games as the designated player during her senior season. She’s helped the team in practice and with some administrative duties since her earning her bachelors degree in 2012.

“Kaela Jackson grew up knowing she wanted to be a coach,” remarked Smith. “Kaela is the daughter of a coach, she has had valuable experiences at South Carolina as a student-athlete, and she saw the administrative/duty side of coaching the last two seasons as a graduate student manager. I am thrilled that she has decided to stay on as our volunteer coach this season. Kaela is an outstanding young coach, this year she will have the opportunity to have hands on coaching experiences with the team as well as direct all of the Carolina Softball Camps and clinics. Kaela’s energy and enthusiasm for the game is contagious; I am looking forward to her impact with our team and staff.”

Prior to coming to Columbia, Jackson earned NJCAA All-America accolades at Chattanooga State, tying four fourth in homers in 2010. She helped the Tigers to the 2010 NJCAA World Series.

Jackson has three degrees, including her master’s in exercise science from South Carolina.

The Gamecocks have made the past two NCAA Tournaments under Smith’s leadership, setting 15 offensive records in her four-year tenure. A total of xx student-athletes return from last year’s 36-22 squad.