Howard University Athletics

Garrett Nickel joined the Howard softball staff in August 2024.

Nickel is a standout in the softball world with a unique blend of experience as a volunteer assistant coach for the Howard University Softball team.
 
Before Howard, Nickel was an assistant coach at Stetson University (NCAA DI) for one season (2022), focusing on battery development and defense. As the recruiting and camp coordinator, he orchestrated the team's travel, catering, and accommodation logistics. Under his leadership, Stetson Softball achieved notable successes, including seven shutouts, 218 strikeouts, and wins over top programs such as Liberty, Delaware, and Maryland. His guidance also produced a two-time ASUN Pitcher of the Week.
 
Nickel also worked as a facilitator with Athletes Unlimited Pro Softball in Chicago (2021). He assisted captains and players in creating lineups, managing substitutions, and running practices. He drafted teams and coordinated events with AU support staff, fostering strong relationships with a player base that included Olympians from the 2020 Tokyo Games.
 
Earlier in his career, Nickel was a student assistant at Arizona State University, contributing to the softball program for three seasons (2018-21). His responsibilities included academic support, pitch calling, scouting, video analysis, and postgame reporting. He also coached Explosion Club Softball in Phoenix, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that produced over 50 NCAA athletes in its first three years.
 
Nickel has also represented the USA Men's Softball National Team as a pitcher, competing internationally for two years (2018-20), achieving a seventh-place finish in the WBSC World Championships.
 
Nickel earned a Bachelor of Science in Community Sports Business and Management from Arizona State University underpins his expertise in elite mental performance development, educational leadership, and sports technology. His proficiency with platforms such as Dartfish, Rapsodo, and Hit Trax, combined with his dedication to athlete development, has earned him numerous accolades, including a National Collegiate Speech Award and the title of MVP/U.S. National Champion in the 2021 NIT.