Prickett takes over softball program, Frazier returns as Barton Athletics announces assistant coach hirings

The Barton Community College Board of Trustees approved this afternoon in their monthly meeting the hiring of Joel Prickett as head coach for the softball program.  

In addition to the approval, the Board also gave the nod to fill three assistant coach vacancies. Barton will welcome back former athlete Mark'Quis Frazier to assist with the track and field program, as well as, add Colby Crank and Takesha Watson to assist with the wrestling and women's basketball programs respectively as additional information will be released in the future.  The hires leave one opening remaining as a replacement assistant volleyball coach position expected to be presented for approval at the Board's next meeting.

A 6-time Region V Coach of the Year, Prickett comes to Barton following a successful twelve years at Odessa College, guiding the Wranglers' program to a 512-260 record that included six trips to the NJCAA National Tournament and five Top-10 national finishes.  

"Joel's record as a junior college head softball coach and the success he has had nationally speak for themselves," Trevor Rolfs, Barton Athletic Director said. "Coach Prickett is a well-respected coach nationally and we expect he will bring those same levels of success both on and off the field to Barton.  I am very excited to add someone of his caliber to our staff here at Barton."

Over his tenure at Odessa College, the program had 20 NFCA/NJCAA All-American selections, 20-plus NFCA All-West Region selections, 90-plus All-Conference selections, 60-plus All-Region V selections, one Golden Spike Award winner, six Region V West Championships, and in 2013 he and his staff received the NJCAA West Region Coach and Coaching Staff of the Year awards.

A graduate of Cisco High School, Prickett remained in Texas to attend college beginning with Cisco Junior College before receiving a Bachelor's of Science degree in Exercise and Sports Studies from Tarleton State University.

Prickett began his twenty year collegiate coaching career as an assistant at his alma mater Cisco for three years before a one-year stint at Hill College preceded three years leading the El Paso Community College program.

Outside of softball, Prickett was an active member of the Odessa church community and on-campus activities including assisting with campus ministries.  

In addition to the on-field success of the Wranglers' program, Odessa also excelled under Prickett's leadership in the classroom exceeding the 3.1 GPA mark with over a 90% graduation rate.  

*Photo and information credit to Odessa College Athletics