Bradley University Athletics

No stranger to the Missouri Valley Conference, former Illinois State standout Jhavon Hamilton joined the Bradley Softball coaching staff as an assistant in August 2015 and is in her second year on The Hilltop.   

Hamilton, who works with the Bradley outfielders in addition to coordinating team travel and equipment, helped lead the Braves to a share of fifth-place in the MVC regular standings in 2016.  Her first season saw Bradley produce four Second-Team All-MVC honorees, marking the most all-conference selections for the Braves since 1994.  In addition, Bradley career home run leader Alyson Clemente and outfielder Kelly Kapp were both NFCA All-Region selections as the Braves had two all-region performers in the same season for the first time in program history.  

The 2016 Braves clubbed a MVC record 44 doubles in conference games along with breaking or tying school season records for doubles (71), slugging percentage (.447) and hit by pitch (38).  

Hamilton came to The Hilltop after spending the previous season as an assistant coach at Millikin University.  While at Millikin, she handled team travel and oversaw the recruiting efforts for the Big Blue in addition to her on-field responsibilities.

A 2014 Illinois State graduate with a bachelor of science in psychology and kinesiology, Hamilton served as a student assistant coach for the Redbirds in 2014 after completing her collegiate playing career in 2013.  She has also served as an instructor at the Bulls/Sox Academy and was an assistant coach for the Illinois Hawks for three years. 

During her career at Illinois State, Hamilton was a two-time NFCA All-Mideast Region selection and four-time All-MVC performer.  The Joliet, Ill., native helped the Redbirds to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, the 2011 MVC regular-season title and four straight top-three regular-season conference finishes. 

Hamilton led the MVC with a .462 average in conference play as a junior in 2012 and wrapped up her career in the top five all-time at Illinois State in career hits, runs, home runs, RBI, walks and stolen bases.  She drew a school-record 42 walks her senior year to rank in the top 10 in the nation in walks per game.