Jan. 28, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Georgetown University softball team has announced that Whit Chaiyabhat will join the coaching staff as a Volunteer Assistant coach effective immediately. Chaiyabhat has served as the Director of Emergency Management & Operational Continuity within Georgetown University's Office of University Safety since September 2007.
Chaiyabhat, a Frederick Md. resident, spent two seasons at NCAA Division III Hood College, serving as assistant coach under Head Coach Tricia Fiut, a University Connecticut teammate of Georgetown head coach Pat Conlan. At Hood he helped lead the Blazers to their two most successful seasons in school history, earning back-to-back trips to the NCAA Division III Softball Championships. While there, Chaiyabhat worked with the hitters, infielders, outfielders and catchers and assisted with recruiting and practice planning. He was also responsible for the development, management and instruction for all Hood College softball and baseball camps.
In college, Chaiyabhat was a member of the McHenry County (Ill.) College baseball team in 1996 and 1997, where he played second base and shortstop. As a freshman, he was a middle infielder for the Fighting Scots team that won the Illinois Skyway Conference and NJCAA Region IV championships. As a sophomore, he was the Fighting Scots Baseball team captain and starting shortstop.
After earning an associate degree from McHenry County in 1997, Chaiyabhat moved on to Illinois State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Safety Engineering and Occupational Health in 1999. He later earned a graduate certificate in crisis, disaster and risk management from The George Washington University in 2003 and a master's degree in engineering management and systems engineering from George Washington in 2006. He is currently pursuing his second master's degree in Security Management from Webster University.
Prior to joining the Office of University Safety in September 2007, Chaiyabhat worked as a Security Specialist with the FBI. His wife is currently serving her third season as an assistant coach/pitching coach at Hood College in Frederick, MD. He and his wife have two children, Mackenzie (three) and Carter (two).
The Hoyas start their 2008 season on Friday, February 8, as they travel to Kennesaw, Ga. to play Middle Tennessee State as part of the Kennesaw State Tournament.
