WASHINGTON (January 31, 2019) - Howard University Softball Coach Victoria Tyson has announced the hiring of coaches Jazmyn Jackson and Aleshia Ocasio to her staff.

Jackson, a 2018 graduate from the University of California, Berkeley, will join the Howard staff as an infield/hitting coach. She brings with her an array of accolades in softball, at both the collegiate and world level. Jackson played at Berkeley from 2015-18, where she was honored with numerous selections to the All-Pac-12 Team and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Pacific Team. At the global stage, she has won medals in the the World Cup of Softball, Pan American Championship, World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Women's World Championship and the USA Softball International Cup.

Speaking on her addition, Coach Tyson stated, "Jazmyn brings a wealth of knowledge to our program. She is a competitor and a pure athlete. [She] has competed at the highest level, both in college and internationally. I'm excited to have her begin her college coaching career with me at Howard University. Our athletes are in great hands."

Ocasio, a recent graduate from the University of Florida, will serve as a pitching/hitting/utility coach for Howard. She also brings a lengthy list of experience on the softball field at several levels. Ocasio won a national championship with the Florida Gators in 2015 and was a finalist for the 2016 USA Softball Player of the Year Award. She was also selected to two NFCA All-American teams and represented Puerto Rico in the Pan American Games. In 2018, Ocasio was drafted by the Chicago Bandits of the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF).

Commenting on Ocasio, Tyson said, "Aleshia is arguably one of the best athletes to play college softball. She was successful in all areas of the game pitching, defense, and offense. As a rookie in the NPF, I saw her come and make an immediate impact in the circle. She will help us immensely, as she knows what it takes to win championships."

The Bison softball season starts on February 8 at the Southern University Tournament in Baton Rouge, La.

About Howard University Athletics
The Howard University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics sponsors 19 NCAA Division I men and women varsity sports. The programs represent six conferences: the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Coastal Collegiate Swimming Association (CCSA), Sun Belt Conference, Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) and Atlantic Sun (ASUN) Conference. Visit www.hubison.com to learn more.