Hiram College is pleased to announce the appointment of Scott Pohlman as Hiram’s next director of athletics. Pohlman steps into his new role following three months as the interim, as well as six years at the helm of the Hiram softball program.
“I would like to thank President Haney and Dr. Okuma for entrusting me with this tremendous opportunity,” Pohlman said. “Now is an exciting time to be a part of Hiram College Athletics. We have a long, rich history of high academic achievements, dedicated student-athletes, and energetic coaches and I look forward to working beside these individuals as we strive for new levels of success both on and off the field.”
Over five seasons at the helm of Hiram softball, Pohlman’s led the Terriers to tremendous success, culminating with a North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) East Division title and an appearance in the NCAC Championship Series in 2021, as well as NCAC Coach of the Year honors.
Under Pohlman’s tutelage, 11 Terriers have earned all-conference honors, including five All-NCAC East Division First-Team honorees in 2021, two have earned National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Region honors, and four have earned NCAC Player or Pitcher of the Week honors.
The Terriers have also seen great success on the academic side under Pohlman, with seven earned NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete honors, 12 earning NCAC Academic Honor Roll and three Chi Alpha Sigma inductees.
“I am excited Scott stepped into the Interim position earlier this semester and then went through the athletic director search process,” Liz Okuma, Ph.D., vice president for student affairs and dean of students said. “Scott has been successful as a coach and helped the softball program reach new heights. I know he will bring that same energy and hard work to the new position which will keep Hiram Athletics moving forward.”
Prior to joining the Terriers, Pohlman spent a total of six seasons over two stints, 2009-11 and 2013-16, as an assistant softball coach at Denison University in Granville, Ohio. Over his six seasons with the Big Red, Pohlman helped Denison to a 124-77 (.617) record, four NCAC Tournament appearances and an NCAC title and NCAA tournament appearance in 2008. In addition to his role as an assistant coach, Pohlman also served as the Big Red’s recruiting coordinator, as well as a gameday administrator for other Denison sports.
In between his two stints at Denison, Pohlman served as an assistant softball coach at NCAA Division I North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, N.C. from 2011-13. With the Aggies, Pohlman saw six student-athletes earn All-Mid-East Athletic Conference (MEAC) honors, as well as a First-Team All-North Carolina selection. He also helped spur numerous improvements both on and off the field, from improvements at the plate and in the circle, to six NFCA All-American Scholar-Athletes.
Pohlman also spent five years as the athletic director and head varsity softball coach at Millersport High School in Millersport, Ohio. A two-time Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) Division IV Coach of the Year, Pohlman helped turn around a team that had previously won eight games in eight years, winning 50 games over the next year.
As the athletic director, Pohlman also helped raise the Lakers’ academic stature, increasing the GPA to participate by almost a full point, put together the program’s first-ever athletic department policy manual, and helped conduct a review and realign the Mid-State League (MSL) to achieve better competitive balance.
In addition to his experience in collegiate athletics, Pohlman also has extensive law-enforcement experience, having served as a deputy director, assistant deputy director, agent-in-charge and agent within the Ohio Department of Public Safety from 1980-2006.
Pohlman earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and criminal justice administration from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio in 1980.
