2004

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Most of his roster came from successful high school programs.

"They've come here prepared," Hodge said. "For example, we asked them in the state championship game how many of them had been in a state championship game sometime before and three-quarters of them raised their hand. They came from good programs with good coaching in the high school setting.

"Some of them were not quite ready to make that move, but they knew they could come here and get better and get more experience at the college level.

"It's a good program they can come in and enjoy and get the opportunity to get exposed. II they had gone elsewhere, they may not have that opportunity."

Hodge also served as assistant men's coach at Athens State College. In his two years there, Athens won 38 games and reached the Southern District semifinals both years.

Hodge graduated from Russellville (Ala.) High School, received a bachelor's degree at Athens State, attended the University of Alabama-Huntsville, and completed his master's degree at UL-Mpnroe. "A lot of my success has to do with coach Mike Vining hiring me and giving me the opportunity at Louisiana-Monroe and coach Harold Murrell opened the door for me at Athens State when he didn't have to,· Hodge said. "Those are two fantastic coaches that are championship coaches. They gave me an opportunity when nobody else would, and I have to give them a lot of credit. "

Hodge is married to the former Alida Jones of Decatur, Ala. She 1s a counselor and assistant fast-pitch softball coach at Neshoba Central High School

CO 2003 The Meridian Star All Riohts Resel'\lea .

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