Averill Named Softball Head Coach

Huntington University athletic director Lori Culler has hired Tim Averill to head up the HU softball program.

“It is a great blessing and opportunity to step into this leadership role with the Forester softball program,” said Averill. “I look forward to creating an environment that empowers young women to be the best versions of themselves. We will compete for championships on the field while developing champions of character off it.

“I want to thank President Emberton, COO Russ Degitz, and athletic director Lori Culler for this opportunity. I am honored by their belief in me, and I am committed to fulfilling the mission and ministry of this institution.”

No stranger to campus, Averill has been named the head coach after serving as the associate head coach of the program for the past three seasons. He additionally brings 14 years of coaching experience to the position.

Averill is excited for not only the program’s foundation, but what’s to come. “I want to offer my thanks to Coach Erin Ehler for the hard work she invested in building this program. This is a dream come true for me as well as my wife Kajsa, and my sons Brady and Ty. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for Huntington University softball.”

Averill’s coaching career kicked off in 2006 at Staunton High School, where he served as an assistant baseball coach. During his three-year stint at SHS, he also helped guide the Buffalo Gap High School football team to a 2007 State Championship.

Averill’s resume also includes assisting the baseball program at Buffalo Gap, which included serving as the president of Churchville Diamond Club, a youth baseball and softball organization. His playing days saw him earn back-to-back all-state honors as a pitcher for Lenawee Christian High School. The Adrian (Mich.) native also played a year for Coach Mike Frame at Huntington.

“We are ecstatic to have Tim take over the reins of our softball program,” said Culler. “With three years of experience in helping lead the program as the associate head coach, he will hit the ground running with his knowledge of the student-athletes and the program’s competitive level within the Crossroads League.

“As an HU alumnus, he is a strong advocate of our institutional mission and will serve as a wonderful role model of living as a faithful servant of the Lord.”

Averill graduated from Huntington in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science degree in recreation management. He, his wife Kajsa, also an HU alum, and two sons, Brady and Ty, reside in Huntington.