Sept. 3, 2010

by Koby Padgett
Assistant Media Relations Director

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Filling out her first staff at South Carolina, head softball coach Beverly Smith hired Calvin Beamon, a two-time national champion during his collegiate baseball career, as an assistant coach.

“I am so please that Calvin is joining the Gamecock softball program,” said Smith. “Calvin comes with an impressive playing resume, but it is his ability to communicate and teach that impressed me. His passion for hitting is infectious. I am looking forward to the contributions he will make to the team both offensively and defensively with the outfielders.”

Beamon has spent the past three years teaching baseball and softball to players at all levels in the state of Illinois and in the St. Louis area. He started working at the Athletix Factory and LSI after completing his professional playing career after two years in the Seattle Mariners system, signing with them as a free agent after being drafted twice, including in the 12th round of the 2004 draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. Since his graduation, Beamon has also been an evaluator for USA Baseball for its youth baseball teams.

As a collegiate player, Beamon helped the College of Southern Nevada win the 2003 NJCAA baseball championship during his two years on campus there. He hit .342 during the championship season in the wood bat conference, adding seven doubles and five triples. He followed that up with a .295 batting average, stealing 23 bases in 25 attempts.

From CSN, Beamon moved to Texas, where he played a part in the Longhorns’ 2005 College World Series championship squad. He started 24 games for Augie Garrido’s squad, hitting .253 and scoring 20 runs in 99 at bats for the Horns. He sat out the 2006 season before playing his final season at UNLV. Starting in the outfield, Beamon hit .298 for the Rebels, getting on base at a .375 clip while stealing 17 bags. Beamon also played in the Cape Cod League one summer and took part in the Area Code Games while in high school at Smokey Hill in Cherry Creek, Colo.

Earning his degree at UNLV in 2007, Beamon is married to Kristina Diaz, and the couple has a four-year-old son named Kai.