Tony Austin joined the Park University softball coachig staff in the Fall of 2021 and came into the posiition with 17 years of coaching experience.
Coach Austin attended Englewood Christian Academy in Independence, Mo. where he played on his school's varsity baseball team. His love of the game kept him playing in the Men's Adult Baseball League after graduation and he transitioned into competitive slow-pitch softball where he traveled around the United States for games.
He began coaching in 2004 for his daughters and then landed a coaching position with a club called Originals Fastpitch in 2011. He is proud of his 16U travel team, the Originals '22/'23, when he led them to a championship appearance in 2020 Nationals held in South Carolina.
His 18U team ranked 40th in the nation in 2020 as well, according to ExtraInning Softball. Personally, he also ranked in the Top 50 travel ball coaches in the country by ExtraInning Softball.
After coming on board with the Pirates he had this to say, "Coaching softball is a passion of mine and I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without my supporting wife Brandy and my 3 beautiful daughters Ashleigh, Macee and Kennedy. I have been coaching for many years and having the privilege to coach amazing athletes through those years have been an honor. Helping athletes fulfill their dreams and playing at the next level after travel ball is very gratifying and one of the main reasons I coach. I want to say thank you to everyone that has put their faith in my coaching their athletes through the years and to Coach Derry and Park University for this amazing opportunity! Go Pirates!!"
Austin is from Kansas City, Mo. but has since moved to Belton, Mo. where he now resides with his wife and kids. He is married to his wife Brandy and has three daughters, Ashleigh, Macee, and Kennedy. Their family has A german shepard/mastiff mix named Poppy and a cat named Peter.
