Hailey Galvan coaching Rhea Middle vs McMinn earlier this season.(Photo:GaryBolden)

Evensville, TN -- 9/14/23

Hailey Galvan Hickman is the daughter of Toni Galvan Arizmendi, Antonio Arizmendi(stepfather) and Josh Hickman (father). Her siblings are Jagger, Keely and Caleb Hickman. Haily is returning to her roots as she played at Rhea County before playing softball at Cleveland State and Bryan College, where she had a very successful career.

She is currently beginning her last year of her Master's Degree in Sports Management. Her goal is to coach at a higher college level. She is excited to be an assistant at Rhea Middle School softball, where she is gaining coaching experience. She is also a volunteer coach at Cleveland State, working with infield and helping with hitting fundamentals.

Hailey said, "I believe the two coaching positions will be very helpful with learning aspects of coaching that will prepare me for a future coaching position.

Hailey gained extensive softball experience on her way to college. She played for: Velocity 99 and Frost Falcons 99 (Travel Teams). Hailey has been playing softball since an early age and has played all over the field during her career. She has played for coach Leah Price since the eighth grade. She played infield in eighth grade but transitioned to outfield for first couple of years at High School. Her junior year at Rhea County High School she played third base and provided power and a strong arm at third base. Hailey hit .393 her junior year and led team in Runs-Batted-In. She received All-District Award twice at Rhea County High School and led the team in RBI's.

In her first two years in college at Cleveland State, Hailey was named 1st Team All-Conference (Sophomore year). She set the stolen Base Record at Cleveland State with 61 during her time at Cleveland State. Her batting averages at Cleveland State were .314 Freshman year and .383 her sophomore year. She had 3 HR 18 RBI and 17 SB her Freshman year and 5 HR 26 RBI and 44 SB her Sophomore year. She normally batted at top of lineup(leadoff batter freshman year and second position her sophomore year.) She played centerfield at Cleveland State.

After her two years at Cleveland State, she transferred to Bryan College, where she played softball. In her senior year, she was selected 2nd Team All-Conference (outfield), All Conference Tournament. Bryan were Conference Champions with a 24-4 record.

Hailey had 26 stolen bases in each season at Bryan and hit for a .346 average with 1 Home Run. She played left field(Junior) and centerfield(senior). Her favorite position is centerfield, where she played very little in her youth and high school career.

Hailey said, "It is crazy to think about my favorite position being centerfield, because I grew up playing anywhere in the infield, but as soon as I got to college it was noticed that I was an outfielder."

Haily talked to Rhea County Magazine about some of her favorite softball memories.

She said, "One of my favorite series played was my senior year at Bryan College. It was the last week of the regular season and we had TWU left to play. Going into this game Bryan and TWU were tied for first place of the regular season champs. The first game we won 8-0 in a run rule and the second game we won 7-4. I went 5 for 10 on the day. Being able to enjoy the wins with my teammates, earning my first ever ring and on my last ride as a softball player. I could not tell you a better softball day in my shoes. This was one of the best days in my softball career.. It was the last week of the regular season and we had TWU left to play. Going into this game Bryan and TWU were tied for first place of the regular season champs. The first game we won 8-0 in a run rule and the second game we won 7-4. I went 5 for 10 on the day. Being able to enjoy the wins with my teammates, earning my first ever ring and on my last ride as a softball player. I could not tell you a better softball day in my shoes. This was one of the best days in my softball career."

"Another favorite memory was my freshman year at Cleveland State. We won second place in the conference tournament. Everyone in the conference did not expect any trouble from this team. This is because the past seasons did not go very well. Even though the story is not about winning the championship, it really was about grit and fight and that happened in the semi-final game. We had to play Chattanooga State and they were a very strong and dominant team. In the season Chatt State swept us all four games. This team was expected to win the whole tournament with no problem. The game stayed 0-0 until about the 5th inning we were up 4-0 my roommate hit a grand slam. When we came
back out to defense in the sixth inning Chatt State players hit a 2-run bomb. The anxiety and excitement I
had because of how close this game was. After they scored, we barred down and had perfection for defense."

High School Signing Ceremony.

At high school signing ceremony, Hailey said, “I have played about every position on the field. I even tried pitching. My favorite position is third base.”

Asked what her favorite memory was, Hailey said, “My favorite memory from my career was a walk off home run with two runners on to win the game in a tournament game we played.”

On her college selection she said, “I looked at several colleges, but Cleveland State felt more family and was close to home. I also looked at Carson Newman and Chattanooga State.”

She signed with Cleveland State Community College softball coach Katie Willingham, who was excited to get the versatile power hitting Galvan. Willingham has been coaching at Cleveland State for several years."

At her signing ceremony, RCHS softball coach Leah Price said, “She has been a solid hitter for us over the last three years. She hit around 400 last year and led the team in runs batted in. She moved into the middle of the hitting lineup and has been either 3,4 or 5 for her high school career. Hailey and most of our players who go on to sign with Colleges play a lot of travel ball and that helps.”

Rhea County High School Athletic Director at the time Micah Ruehling said, “Hailey is a very good student with good grades and I think she will be successful in the future.”