2023 Director: Gene Head

Gene became affiliated with the USSSA as a coach with the Lyons Township Blazers team in 2004 and became that organization’s lead contact with Illinois USSSA after Mike Schwab stepped down as their President.

Gene directed and hosted between one and four tournaments in various age groups, annually for 13 years. Gene had participated firsthand in numerous tournaments as a coach which gave him all the insight and tools of how a tournament should be ran successfully.  While being a tournament director he was approached by Brenda to become an Area Director in 2007.

As fastpitch grew in Illinois a person was needed to assist in the control of player/roster movement. Illinois was the leader in team classification but needed someone to fill that never ending, player/roster movement. Of all the Fastpitch Directors in Illinois, Gene was the person to step-up and take on that responsibility. Not only was he committed to his role, but he also excelled. “There weren’t enough hours in a day for the administration from the State Office to handle roster control and Gene was the vital part of the program” commented Paulson.

Gene also traveled to Rockford to be a site/tournament director at State and World Series events. For his involvement and dedication to the IL USSSA Fastpitch program he was honored as the IL USSSA Rookie of the Year in 2007 and the prestigious Award of Merit in 2013.

Fastpitch softball and USSSA has been such a big part of his life for many years. He hopes to continue and share his love of the game with his two granddaughters. “My Dad is hands down the best coach on this planet. His adaptive coaching styles and passion for the game really set him above the rest. It was fun to be able to see him still be a part of such a great organization after his coaching days were done and see him thrive as a tournament director” said his daughter Annie, whom he coached for many years.

Gene retired from coaching and the Illinois USSSA in 2017 but he keeps in touch with the Blazer program.

“Gene Head did more for the Illinois program than most and I truly thank him for all his insight and help the many years we were involved in the fastpitch program. Your dedication makes you most deserving to be the first Fastpitch Director to receive induction into the IL USSSA Hall of Fame.”