Upcoming Event: Softball versus Illinois State University on February 14, 2026 at 1 p.m.
1 p.m.
Softball
vs Illinois State University
The University of Utah Athletics
Utah Softball Announces Staff Additions
9/21/2010 12:00 AM | Softball
Sept. 21, 2010
SALT LAKE CITY - University of Utah head softball coach Amy Hogue has announced the addition of assistant coach Breanne Smith and volunteer assistant coach Russ Paskins to her staff for the 2011 season. They will join the Utes immediately to begin coaching through the fall exhibition season.
Smith had been an assistant coach at Riverton High School for the last seven years where she helped develop two current Utah starters, catcher Brooke Olson and shortstop Kelsi Hoopiiaina.
As a player, Smith was a stand-out starter and team captain for Utah State from 1998 through 2002, where she finished sixth on the school's career home run list. She caught over 300 games for the Aggies in four years. She was named the Big West Conference Field Player of the Week and Utah State Athlete of the Week over her career and was a USU Female Athlete of the Year finalist in 2002. During her senior year, Smith was second in the Big West with a .730 slugging percentage.
During her career in Logan, Smith piled up several academic accomplishments, including CoSIDA Academic District VII All-American recognition in 2002. She was also a National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-American Scholar Athlete, CoSIDA All-District Academic team selection, Academic All-Big West honoree and a United States Achievement All-American Scholar in 2000 and 2001. Smith was on Utah State's Dean's List from 1999 to 2001 and was a USU Scholar-Athlete in 2000 and 2001. She was a finalist for Scholar Athlete of the Year in 2000.
Smith held many positions of leadership at USU, including an appointment as a Student Athlete Mentor Team Leader, the Vice President of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and a USU Aggie Ambassador.
Smith represented Utah State externally as a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars as well as at the NCAA Leadership Conference in Florida and the Big West Student Athlete Advisory Committee in California in 2001.
Along with her coaching duties, Smith has taught private catching lessons for the last eight years and has coached summer and travel ball for four years. Smith has also created a DVD entitled The Boss, where viewers are taken through a step-by-step process of each catching technique.
Smith attended Bingham High School where she was a first-team all-state and all-region selection. She was named Region II MVP while helping the Miners to first and second-place finishes at the state tournament during her three years as a starter. She also excelled in the classroom as a member of the National Honor Society.
The Utah native is married to Justin Smith. The couple has three boys, Jensen (5), Drew (3), and Breck (3 months).
Paskins joins the Utah coaching staff as a volunteer assistant after serving as an assistant coach at Alta High School from 2006 to 2009.
Paskins enjoyed a 24-year playing career on the fastpitch circuit that included 14 years in Men's Majors World Fastpitch Tournaments, 12 years in Men's Majors Fastpitch Nationals and 11 years with Page Brake Fastpitch.
Paskins was a member of the National All-Tournament Team in 2009 and selected to the All-World Team at NAFA Masters in 2006 and 2008. He was named the Polar Bear Tournament Most Valuable Player in 1989 and 1991 before earning MVP honors at the 2000 Alpine Tournament. Paskins won league batting titles in 1988, '89 and '95.
Paskins resides in Draper with his wife Mindi. The couple has three daughters, Desirae (23), Samantha (19) and Whitney (13).
Players Mentioned
IF
/ Softball
C
/ SoftballUtah Softball's Hailee White Feature
Tuesday, April 15
Utah Softball's Jolie Mayfield Feature
Friday, March 28
Utah Softball - The Inaugural 1976 Team
Wednesday, March 19
University of Utah Athletics - A Storied History
Friday, August 02