Travis Wilson
	Position: Assistant Coach Experience: Second Season Alma Mater: University of Canterbury, 1996

Assistant Florida State softball coach Travis Wilson finished his first season with the Seminoles, helping the club toward another outstanding year.

Joining fellow assistant coach Craig Snider as the team's offensive instructors, Wilson helped the Seminoles make strides at the plate in the 2012 year. Coaching a youthful unit that included just one everyday senior starter, Wilson also made a great impact on the team's defensive game as it became a sound group in the field.

In 2012, the Seminoles finished the year with a .966 fielding percentage to rank in the upper echelon on a national scale. FSU became an entertaining group to watch defensively as student-athletes such as third baseman Briana Hamilton, shortstop Maddie O'Brien, second baseman Tiffani Brown and centerfielder Courtney Senas made a bevy of highlight-reel plays throughout the season. A fundamentally-sound group of infielders and outfielders collectively produced both the routine and difficult plays last year.

It was the solid play of FSU's defensive stalwarts that helped the Seminoles begin last season with a 16-0 record, the second-best start in school history. The 16-game win streak ties for the 10th longest winning stretch for the program.

Wilson is seen as an excellent instructional mind by FSU's student-athletes, which was evident from the first day of practice in the fall 2011. He is a reliable arm for batting practice who is always offering excellent teaching points to better enlighten each player. Wilson has proven to be an absolute student of the game who utilizes various statistics in his meticulous game-day preparation.

Wilson is a native of New Zealand who has already taken on an important role in recruiting. The baseball, softball and cricket veteran serves as the Seminoles' hitting and fielding coach, using his past success as a player to better serve his student-athletes.

"Travis is from both professional baseball and the New Zealand National Program," head coach Lonni Alameda said when Wilson first arrived in the summer 2011. "From the first time I met Travis I knew he would be a great fit for our program. It is not often you come across someone that has played the same game that the girls do and yet has 10 years of Major League Baseball experience. He is personable and he has won at the highest level of this game from the men's side. He has played every position you can on the field and has been among some of the world's best in men's fastpitch. I believe Travis will be able to relate to the players on a unique level as he stills plays the game. He is excited about this opportunity and can help our program get to the next level."

From 1996-2004, Wilson played seven seasons in the Atlanta Braves organization covering all stops from Rookie Ball to Triple-A. He enjoyed much success in his professional stint, being named an All-Star for the Appalachian League (1998), South Atlantic League (1999) and the Carolina League (2000). He was named Carolina League Player of the Year for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, and led the Grapefruit League in hitting for the Braves during spring training in 2001.

Wilson ended his professional career in 2004 with the Cincinnati Reds' organization in Chattanooga, Tenn. As a softball player in New Zealand for the Black Sox, he made his debut as a 16-year old in 1994 and was named both the New Zealand Softballer of the Year and the Canterbury Softballer of the Year after posting a team-best .396 batting average in 1996. He would earn the Canterbury Player of the Year honor multiple times and become one of his country's biggest softball ambassadors. He continues to play today.

Wilson's most recent baseball stint was as an instructor for the Idaho Falls, a Rookie League team of the Kansas City Royals. His tasks included scouting the Pioneer League, writing reports and utilizing video while communicating with the Royals organization on several prospects. His efforts have helped the Royals claim their status of having the best farm system in Major League Baseball, as asserted by several minor-league publications. On the field, he helped his players develop their infield/outfield skills, base running and hitting mechanics. Wilson also served as expert commentator for the ISF Men's World Softball Series, and was fielding coach and video analyst for the Black Caps of the New Zealand Cricket Association.

Wilson is married to his wife, Jill. The two have a son named Tyler.

Printer-friendly format	Email this article

2013 Season

2012 Season

General Information

Pitching Good Fortune

Waldrop Named NFCA All-American

Big Fifth Inning by Texas Ends Florida State's season

Texas Gets Past Florida State on Late-Game Double

Florida State-Texas Softball Game Postponed to Saturday

Hensley Named Capital One Academic All-American

Seminole Softball Takes on Texas