AHSAA Mourns Death of Hall of Famer Doc Hodges


    The AHSAA is saddened to learn of the death of longtime Hoover High School softball pitching coach Morris “Doc” Hodges, who died Monday in a Birmingham hospital.
    Hodges, 76, was selected to the AHSAA High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.
    He was the first softball coach at Hoover (then W.A. Berry High School) in 1987 and later became pitching coach for the Lady Bucs where he remained through the 2009 season. During that span, Hodges was considered one of the key pioneers for fast-pitch softball in Alabama. He was recognized as one of the top spokespersons as well as one of the top pitching coaches in state history.
    He helped Hoover win five state fast-pitch championships and two runner-up trophies as well as 18 state tournament appearances and 15 area titles during his 23 years with the team. Hoover compiled a 1,108-257 record during the span.
    Hodges graduated from Amory, Miss., High School in 1955 before attending the University of Mississippi and the University of Tennessee School of Dentistry. He served as a dentist in the Birmingham area and earned the rank of Colonel in the Alabama Army National Guard.
    He coached 48 players, including 15 pitchers, who signed college scholarships from Hoover High School or youth teams.