By Kyle LoJacono
For the first time in Sunlake High history someone other than John Dawkins will coach the softball program.
Seahawks athletic director Russ Schenk confirmed the change July 27.
“Sunlake High School principal Mr. (Garry) Walthall has hired Ms. Jami Finan as softball coach,” Schenk said. “Coach Finan will be a Sunlake teacher and head softball coach.”
Finan will be in the physical education/drivers education department next season. She was unavailable for comment by press time.
Schenk would not elaborate on why Dawkins was replaced.
“Our (athletic director) has decided that I do not have the passion for building the
softball program here at Sunlake, so they are replacing me,” Dawkins said.
Dawkins will remain at Sunlake as a business teacher. The Seahawks went 16-11 two years ago and followed that up with a 15-10 record last season.
Sunlake did not make the regional tournament during Dawkins’ three years coaching the team, but the players seemed to enjoy playing for him.
“He’s a good coach,” said pitcher Meghan Durbin during last season. “He’s helped everyone learn the team is more important than anyone by themselves.”
In the last month Sunlake has also brought Mark Hall and Kacy Kane on board as boys basketball and junior varsity (JV) volleyball coaches respectively.
Hall takes over for Bob Marinak, who was the only person to lead the Seahawks basketball team. Hall last coached JV basketball at Seminole High.
Both Kane and Hall will teach in the math department next season. Marinak will remain a teacher in the social studies department at Sunlake.
