Athletic Director Taylor Hasty named TBCA NAIA coach of the year

By Colby Roach

Coach Taylor Hasty receives his award from Pat Swallows, Executive Director of TBCA/ Photo credit tbca.org
Coach Taylor Hasty receives his award from Pat Swallows, Executive Director of TBCA/ Photo credit tbca.org

Staff Writer

Bryan College received news that its own Athletic Director Taylor Hasty was named Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association Coach of the Year. Hasty exuded confidence, but also a real sense of humility.

“I was so honored and somewhat shocked to learn that I had been chosen for the TBCA award.” Hasty said, “This award is a recognition for our program more than anything else as our baseball staff and our players play the biggest role in my receiving this award.”

As with every sport, they have their ups and downs throughout the season. Coach Hasty said that the key to success is to live and play as a family.

“I long for Bryan College Athletics to be a family, one that puts Christ first and also experiences great success, in the classroom and on the field/court as well.”

When asked about his upcoming goals for the college, Hasty gave credit to his family. “God has brought us amazing young women and men and I look forward to seeing them be successful, now and down the road.”

About his future plans for the Bryan College Athletic Department, Hasty remained muted. “We do have a five-year plan but I am not ready to make the plan public as of yet.”

Coach Hasty showed his excitement for his family of athletes and coaches, and expressed his anticipation for the coming year.

For complete details about the Q&A see below.

Q&A

At the beginning of the spring semester, Coach Taylor Hasty, the Athletic Director and Baseball Coach at Bryan College, was interviewed about his most recent award for the Tennessee Baseball Coaches Associations with the NAIA.

Interview was conducted by L.J. Rowden/ Senior Communication Major.

1) What were your reactions when you first found out about being name the NAIA Tennessee coach of the year?

“I was so honored and somewhat shocked to learn I had been chosen for the Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association (TBCA) award. There are so many great coaches in the NAIA, even here in Tennessee. It was a wonderful privilege to even be nominated. This award is a recognition for our program more than anything else as our baseball staff and our players play the biggest role in my receiving this award. I am surrounded by amazing people who work hard for the good of Bryan Baseball. I am so thankful for the young men in our program and the coaches I get to work with on a daily basis.”

2) What were your high and low points from last year’s season as a coach?

“Every season has its ups and downs so one of the biggest challenges as a coach is to never be too high or too low, but remain even keeled throughout the course of the season. I think one of the great highs of last year’s season was seeing how our team consistently responded to adversity and stuck together through wins and losses, and injuries. It was a tight, close knit group, and it was so fun to be apart of the 2015 season.”

3) Both as a coach and an athletic director, what are your goals for this coming season and next school year?

“I would love to see the name of Christ furthered in the hearts and minds of our student athletes and our coaches. I pray often that the Lord would move in a powerful way, furthering his kingdom in and through the work of our department and baseball team. I long for Bryan College Athletics to be a family, one that puts Christ first and also experiences great success, in the classroom and on the field/court as well. God has brought us amazing young women and men, and I look forward to seeing them be successful, now and down the road. I pray our staff can serve them well!”

4) As the athletic director, what are your future plans for the athletic department as a whole, and in the next five years?

“We do have a five-year plan, but I am not ready to make the plan public as yet. Lord willing we will do so soon!”