CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Head coach Tyra Perry has announced the addition of Alix Ezell as the newest volunteer assistant coach for the Illinois softball program on Friday (August 21).

"Alix is a University of Illinois alum and 100 percent bleeds Orange and Blue," said Perry. "She served as a student manger here and understands our system inside and out. We are happy to welcome her back home to Eichelberger Field."

Ezell comes back to the Illini following a two-season stint as a graduate assistant on the University of Texas-Arlington softball coaching staff. While in Arlington, Ezell handled video and game data, coordinated all team travel and community service events and managed practice and game day equipment, while also aiding in practice drills and managing recruiting emails amongst various other responsibilities. She also helped lead the Mavs to the 2019 National Invitational Softball Championship.

"I am very excited to join the Illinois coaching staff," said Ezell. "I want to thank head coach Tyra Perry for allowing me this opportunity. I am looking forward to learning from an experienced staff and cannot think of a better place to begin my coaching career."

Prior to her time at UTA, Ezell served as the head student manager at Illinois under Perry's leadership for two and a half years. In her role with the Illini, the Villa Grove, Illinois native catalogued video, coordinated team meals while traveling, managed all game and practice equipment and helped during training sessions.

A two-year student-athlete for the Parkland College softball team, Ezell holds an associate's degree in Kinesiology from Parkland ('16), a bachelor's degree in Recreation, Sport and Tourism from Illinois ('18) and is working towards her master's degree in criminology and criminal justice from UTA.

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