Redskins Announce Hires

Union High School has new head coaches in fast-pitch softball and wrestling. The Redskins hired Jerry Pease head fast-pitch softball coach at Bixby High School where he has been since 1985. Taking over the wrestling program will be Kevin Crutchmer who spent this past season as the varsity assistant coach for the 2009 Class 6A State Championship team. While at Bixby, Pease won the softball state championship in 1997, was a four-time state runner-up, and made 19 state tournament appearances and coached 541 career wins. "Coach Pease possesses the character, experience, and demeanor to lead our softball program into a new era," Perry said. "With a new facility being built and a wealth of young talent, Coach Pease will be a great fit into the softball program and the Union family." Pease's honors include being named Metro Lakes Conference Coach of the Year five times, Region 7 Coach of the Year five times; and All-State Coach. He was inducted into the Oklahoma High School Fast-Pitch Softball Coaches' Hall of Fame and Bixby High School's Athletic Hall of Fame. Crutchmer was head junior high coach for Union from 2006 to 2008; Lawton Public Schools head junior high coach and high school freestyle assistant from 2004-2006; Grove police officer and Delaware County sheriff's deputy from 1997-2004. Crutchmer's honors include being named Ted Anderson Coach of the Year 2007 and 2008; OCWA Junior High Coach of the Year 2008; OCA Region Seven Junior High Coach of the Year 2007; and OCA All State West Assistant Wrestling Coach in 2004.He is also the head coach and director for the Tulsa Union Freestyle Club. "Coach Crutchmer brings the passion, organization, and work ethic to mold our wrestlers into champions both on and off the mat," said Director of Athletics Chuck Perry. "He has a desire to help young men grow and succeed as much as any coach that I have met." Crutchmer being named head wrestling coach means that Steve Dunlap, who coached Union to a state championship this past year, will serve as associate athletic director for Union in a full time basis.