Pratt Named New Head Golf Coach at UM

MONTEVALLO, Ala. - Justin Pratt has been named the new head golf coach for the men's and women's golf programs at the University of Montevallo. Pratt becomes the first full-time golf coach in the programs' history.

Pratt will take over the two programs as they enter their first seasons in the highly-competitive Peach Belt Conference. The women are coming off another successful season in which they finished third in the Gulf South Conference while the men return an experienced group of golfers who finished eighth in the GSC Championships.

"We are excited with the appointment of Justin Pratt as our new Head Golf Coach," said Athletics Director Jim Herlihy. "Coach Pratt has been a dedicated member of the Falcons staff for many years and is committed to the overall success of our program. Based on his proven track record of working with student-athletes, success coaching other sports, and his knowledge of Division II athletics and the University of Montevallo culture, we are excited about his potential to develop our men's and women's golf programs into top Peach Belt Conference and regional contenders."

He has been a familiar face around the Montevallo athletic department having spent eight years as a volunteer assistant coach for the men's soccer program.

With his assistance the UM soccer program reached new heights, going to four NCAA tournaments, making one Final Four appearance, winning the GSC regular season in 2008 and the GSC tournament in 2004. He helped coach 43 All-GSC selections, one Major League Soccer draft pick, four NSCAA All-Americans, 17 NSCAA All-Region members and three GSC Players of the Year.

"I am excited to become a full-time member of the UM family and to work with a talented group of college athletes," said Pratt, who has played in numerous amateur tournaments around the state and owns a 3.1 GHIN handicap. "I look forward to using my experiences as a successful student-athlete and as a coach to help foster a winning environment with the golf programs at Montevallo."

Pratt is a 1999 graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham where he received a bachelor's degree in health promotions/fitness leadership while leading the Blazers to a pair of Conference USA championships during his four-year career.