Jaimie Hoover joined the Bethune-Cookman Softball staff as the newest assistant coach in July 2024.
Hoover comes to Bethune-Cookman after spending three years at North Carolina Central, where she was an assistant coach and later elevated to associate head coach under Head Coach Cat Tarvin. In her time at NCCU, she helped the Eagles improve their wins total each season, including a 20-win campaign in 2024, with NCCU advancing to the semifinals of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament in Norfolk, Virginia. N.C. Central won 34 MEAC games in her three seasons in Durham.
In 2024, the Eagles defeated Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) defending champion Prairie View A&M, in addition to eventual 2024 champion Jackson State as part of the HBCU Collegiate Invitational in Covington, Georgia.
“I’m extremely excited that Jaimie has committed to be part of our Bethune-Cookman Softball family,” expressed Watten, who was recently announced as the department’s Senior Woman Administrator in addition to her role as softball head coach. “She beings immense experience as an impact player at the University of Florida, as well as being a key component to North Carolina Central’s success in the MEAC as an associate head coach.”
A native of Suwanee, Georgia, Hoover played four years at Florida (2017-21), including the COVID-shortened 2020 season. She would graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in African American Studies. With the Gators, the graduate of Collins Hill High earned Southeastern Conference (SEC) Academic Honor Roll honors in 2020, in addition to 2017 SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll accolades.
On the field, she played in more than 200 games, as the Gators advanced to the Women’s College World Series (WCWS) appearances in each of the 2017-19 seasons, respectively. She concluded her career tied for 10th in UF history with seven (7) triples, turning in 37 career extra-base hits while producing 96 RBI, 90 runs and 16 stolen bases
“One of the key impressions for me in reviewing Jaimie’s résumé was her educational experience in earning her degree at UF in African American Studies,” continued Watten. “It is imperative that anyone who steps foot on this campus, whether it be a student or faculty/staff member, understands and respects the soul of our institution, and the core values and impact that Dr. Bethune had on so many lives. Jaimie understands that and is eager to learn from the multitude of experiences we have endured and accomplished in our journey as a program.”
