Troy Hummel will bring ‘passion to the game’ AD says
By Dan Truttschel
Sports correspondent
The timing worked out perfectly for longtime Walworth Grade School teacher and coach Troy Hummel to make the switch.
And now he’s hopeful this spring is just the first step toward even bigger things.
Hummel began his first season as Big Foot varsity softball coach just over a week ago, and he can’t wait to get things off and running.
“I am very excited to get Big Foot softball back to the top of our challenging division,” he said.
Big Foot Athletic Director Tim Collins is pleased to have Hummel on board.
“Troy will bring a passion to the game,” Collins said. “He has a long history and is very committed.”
Hummel replaces Caitlyn and Mike Dowden, who coached the team last year. They replaced Rick Schoenbeck – so to say the program has undergone plenty of transition would be an understatement.
Bringing stability to the program is one key part of Hummel’s to-do list.
“(It’s) very important,” he said. “This senior class has gone through a lot (with) different (coaching) styles and connections, so stability and trust will take time. I am here for the long haul. My commitment is to Big Foot softball.”
Collins agreed.
“We need someone to stay in the position and build the entire program, from youth to varsity,” he said. “I believe he will do that. With a daughter in the youth program, Troy has his hands on all aspects of the program. Hopefully, that will result in increased numbers.”
While he’s new to the softball program, Hummel is anything but new to the school and the area.
Hummel has 10 years as JV head and assistant varsity coach – one with Fort Atkinson and nine with Big Foot – on his resume.
In addition, he’s been part of the Big Foot Ball and Glove summer baseball and softball program the past 17 years and has umpired high school softball the past eight.
And with a 10-year-old daughter who is active in the sport, the timing was perfect.
“It has been on my radar for the past few years,” Hummel said. “…Having a 10-year-old daughter who plays softball and now some tourneys, it made my decision easier.
“Actually, last year I had the opportunity to take over this program, however, thought it was not the right time. My fear was coaching burn out. However, when this position opened up again, I knew it was time.”
Off to a great start
Hummel has been pleased with the enthusiasm he’s seen.
“Players are excited,” he said. “We need to work on our skills. However, we are lucky to have some returning varsity players who know what it will take to be a winning program.
“At our younger levels, we are very raw and will need to realize hard work and dedication will be needed to change this program around.”
It’s at those younger levels, both in the high school and with the youth programs, where Hummel knows success will be developed.
That and pitching, which in fast-pitch softball is the cornerstone of any successful program.
“The main challenges are developing pitchers, especially at the younger levels, getting girls to love the game and have that passion and having our youth program more stable,” he said.
As for his coaching style? Expect to see plenty of passion from the third-base coaches box.
“(I’m) intense at times,” he said. “I want our girls to be aggressive on the bases and to learn to play small ball.”
Assisting Hummel in his first season are Kristin Rabe, who will serve as the pitching coach, Dave Baxter with the varsity, and former Big Foot standout Morgan Stalker with the JV.
Rabe, who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade science at Fontana School, pitched collegiately at Northland College and also has previous coaching experience. Baxter also coached with the travel softball program.
Now that the season has begun, Hummel can’t wait to see how everything meshes, from the coaches to the players, with an eye on helping get the Big Foot program where it needs to be.
“I’m most looking forward to having hard work paying off (and) seeing our coaching staff build relationships with each other and players,” he said. “(Also), seeing our players’ reactions when they make that game-winning hit, show-stopping defensive play, striking out that batter and getting that last out to win that game. Finally, just having my daughter, Kate, being a part of this journey, too.”
