SSN Coach Profile: David Cook, girls softball

David Cook is the girls softball coach for Hamilton Southeastern High School. Cook has been coaching softball at HSE since the 1988-89 season. Cook is not married and has 4 sisters. He attended Pendleton Heights High School and then attended Ball State University for college. Cook takes the extra step as a coach, of preparing the girls he coaches for the next level not only in the field but, also in the classroom and in life stating “I think you learn a lot of life lessons from coaching young kids, and I think you can teach a lot of life lessons as well” We can teach a lot more than softball too” referring to the character and off field skills they are taught. Cook’s greatest highlight as a coach was in 2007 when the boys baseball team, a sport Cook also has coached went 31-0 and won the state championship. Cook wants the girls who come through the HSE softball program to not only be a better softball player but also be a better person. “I think we hold them to a higher standard hopefully they’re a better softball player when we finish… whether they’re gonna play softball at the next level or not, we want to prepare them for college” Cook says about how he coaches his players. Cook says that one of his coaching philosophies is to try to get out to a lead first, focus on hitting the ball, and also play great defense so they can get the ball back. Cook says that his coaching philosophies a change yearly as they get new players and that he suits to their different strengths. Cook likes to see his players succeed off the field, as he says he likes to see his players be a good student athlete and even go into adulthood, as he’s been to many players weddings later in life and likes to see them grow up. Cook says the purpose of high school athletics is to have fun, but it also installs lots of discipline. “It’s going to help you in the classroom… if you establish your time management, and eat right, and participate in athletics, It’s just going to help you be a better person overall”. Cook says