GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The Tusculum University is mourning the passing of former head softball coach Fred Gillum who died last Saturday night in Michigan due to a lengthy illness.
Gillum, age 62, served as head coach of the Tusculum program from 2007-2012 where he amassed 144 victories in his six seasons in Greeneville. His victory-tally still stands as the third-most in the history of the storied program. He recorded back-to-back 32-win campaigns in his final two years at Tusculum, which are the most during the NCAA Division II era of the program (1999-present).
His coaching career spanned over several decades including 14 years as a collegiate head coach at Sue Bennett College (1996-1998), Kentucky Wesleyan College (1999-2001), Mars Hill University (2001-2005) and Tusculum (2007-2012). He also served on the coaching staffs at Piedmont College, Belmont University and Stephen F. Austin University.
TU head coach Julie Huebner, who served on Gillum's staff during the 2011 and 2012 seasons, remembers her former mentor fondly.
"Coach Gillum was one of kind and know him was to love him. He was kind, charismatic, generous and a captivating storyteller," said Huebner. He loved life, his players, staff, friends and co-workers deeply. It was a privilege to work alongside him and I will forever cherish the memories and his mentorship. He will be greatly missed but his legacy will live on."
Gillum was a veteran of the Southeast softball camp circuit with a myriad of experience from summer events. He served on the NCAA Regional Advisory Committee as well as the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Top-25 Ranking Committee and also operated as a NCAA Representative for both Regional and Super Regional events.
"Coach Gillum influenced so many lives positively, both on the softball diamond but especially in the game of life," said Dom Donnelly, Tusculum Associate Athletic Director of Communications and longtime friend. "Fred made an impact on so many during his extraordinary life and he cherished the relationships and memories he built with his student-athletes, fellow coaches and friends. He is a one-of-a-kind person that I will never forget."
Gillum graduated from Cumberland College in Kentucky in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science in English as well as a minor in physical education.
Simpson-Modetz Funeral Home – Riverside Chapel of Waterford, Michigan is in charge of the arrangements.
