Fred Hodson begins his first season on the Indiana Wesleyan basketball staff. Hodson, a former Wildcat player, is no stranger to Grant County basketball. During his IWU career from 1988-91, Hodson scored 1,856 points, which currently places him fourth on the all time IWU scoring list. He previously held the record for career 3-point field goals made. Playing his first three years under Coach Mike Fratzke, and Coach Dave Bireline his senior year, Hodson received All Conference awards in 1989, 1990, and 1991. He also received NAIA All-District and NCCAA All-District awards in 1990 and 1991.
Upon graduating from Indiana Wesleyan in 1992, Hodson began his coaching career at Lakeview Christian. After three seasons of coaching the JV, assisted one year by the voice of the Wildcats, Roger Alcock, Hodson stepped into the Varsity position. Over the past 16 years, Hodson has accumulated 14 years of coaching experience, including four as a varsity head coach in Indiana and Tennessee. Before taking a break from coaching to pursue his Masters Degree through Indiana Wesleyan, his JV teams at Mississinewa tallied a three year record of 54-6, going 20-0 in 2003-04.
Hodson has had International experience as well. In 1993 he traveled as a player/coach with a group of NAIA/NCCAA athletes and competed with teams in the Ukraine. During their first stop, the team faced one of the players on the Olympic team. An invitation was extended for Hodson to return and play on his professional team. While in the Ukraine the team would compete and then witness to the players at halftime.
Hodson had this to say about joining the staff, ?Coach Tonagel has embraced and upheld the philosophy and spirit of Indiana Wesleyan University. Coach Tonagel?s leadership and relentless pursuit of excellence is contagious and inspiring. Coaches Tonagel and Clark require the same of themselves as they do of their players, only the best and nothing less. God has provided this opportunity and it is a privilege to be connected with IWU, once again, and Coach Tonagel.? Hodson recalls walking with Dr. Fratzke to meet Coach Tonagel just outside of Luckey Gymansium, the day of his first interview at IWU. ?I knew in my heart we were going to be coaching together, not in my timeframe, but in God?s.?
A somewhat unique ?coincidence?, Hodson coached against three of the current Wildcats, during their high school career?Jordan Bragg, Clint Cochran and Spencer Harris.
Coach Hodson?s primary responsibilities include assisting in practice, working with the guards, scouting, and recruiting. Hodson teaches elementary Physical Education at Westview and Northview Elementary, which are a part of the Mississinewa Community Schools.
