Wilkins leaves lasting mark on Wahine

The sign posted on the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium’s left-field fence honoring the program’s All-Americans is a prominent indicator of Brooke Wilkins’ impact in her two years at Manoa.

The most telling might be Kaia Parnaby’s presence in the pitching circle for the Rainbow Wahine.

Wilkins initiated the flow of Australians to come through the softball program when she fired her first fastball in 1994. Parnaby, a fellow left-handed pitcher, not only followed that route, but her effectiveness in the circle is largely a product of Wilkins’ teaching.

"She was a big part of my getting to where I am now," Parnaby said.

In two seasons at UH, Wilkins shattered records and helped elevate the program on the national scene in leading the Wahine to their first Big West title and first two appearances in the NCAA regionals.

Her pitching achievements earned her a place in the UH Sports Circle of Honor as the softball program’s first representative. Her legacy is carried on by the Australians who followed her, such as Parnaby.

"When I first got the message I thought they must have had the wrong person," said Wilkins, who was inducted into the Circle of Honor on Friday with Patsy Takemoto Mink and Natasha Kai. "I was a bit floored by it. I looked at who was being inducted and read about them, which makes it even more special."

Parnaby began modeling her pitching style after Wilkins’ after watching the 2004 Olympics. She then worked closely with her as a member of Australia’s junior national team when Wilkins was named pitching coach.

"She developed me into the pitcher I am," said Parnaby, who is 31-12 with a 2.36 ERA and 328 strikeouts in two seasons. "She led me not only with my pitching, but growing up and maturing.

"She was like our mom. She drove us everywhere, took us to pitching practice, took us to lift. … It was an amazing experience just to be able to meet someone you always looked up to."

Wilkins said she grew up quite a bit in 1994 and ’95 while throwing 32 shutouts and five no-hitters. With a mound presence as intimidating as her fastball, Wilkins posted a 0.68 ERA and earned 58 of UH’s 98 wins over that span. The Wahine finished just short of the Women’s College World Series both years.

"She just turned the whole program around," said UH assistant coach Dee Wisneski, who played shortstop behind Wilkins. "Your confidence just skyrocketed and you knew you were going to win once she stepped in the circle."

Since then, Wilkins has found satisfaction in both the growth of the UH program and the continued contributions of Australian players, including NFCA All-Americans Stacey Porter (first team) and Clare Warwick (second team), and all-conference selections such as Melissa McGee, Kelly Gentle, Kate Judd and Justine Smethurst.

"It’s more of a family environment (in Hawaii)," Wilkins said. "It has attracted a lot of our Australian team players, which I think is good for our program because it’s closer to home, but also for this program here because they’re getting the better (Australian) players."

Wilkins won three Olympic medals (bronze in 1996 and 2000 and silver in 2004) and said her decision not to return to UH after the 1996 Games to concentrate on the national program was "one of the hardest ones I’ve had to make."

Wilkins, who has two daughters, last played for the national team in 2004 but remained active as a player into this year. She continues to influence young softball players as an assistant coach with the Queensland Under-19 team and remains a highly recognized figure in Australia.

"She only retired in February and up until then she was one of Australia’s best pitchers," Parnaby said. "To be a three-time medaled Olympian is a big thing. Not many athletes get to do that."