About Fran
With the support and guidance of Fran Hoogestraat Throws Coach, you can thrive, hone in on your personal vision, and transform your life in ways you never imagined.
Fran Hoogestraat is a professional track and field coach with over 20 years of experience, 13 of which, in the Southeastern Conference (NCAA) at Vanderbilt University. With an extensive career at the national, collegiate, and high school levels, Fran provides exceptional coaching and mentoring services for throwers and track and field athletes.
But that’s not all. Fran is also an accomplished speaker, teacher, and mentor for people of all ages. Whether you’re looking for a throwing trainer or motivational speaker in Nashville, TN, get ready to take your success to the next level with Fran by your side.
Call (615) 812-8135 now!
Over 20 years of coaching & mentoring experience - Meet Fran Hoogestraat
My name is Fran Hoogestraat, and I’ve been a throwing coach, mentor, and life coach for over 20 years. Throughout my career, I’ve coached throwers and athletes of all ages and skill levels at the collegiate, middle, and high school levels. I bring 12 years of my own experience as a competitive thrower. I competed for five of those years at the national level, and this experience continues to influence my athletes and coaching abilities to this day.
After graduating from Vanderbilt University in 1990, I worked as an athletic/academic counselor and recruiter there for 13 years. I was an NCAA Division I coach at Vanderbilt University from 1991 to 2005. My time as a collegiate throwing coach also gave me experience in the SEC, the premier Division I Conference in Track & Field. My experiences as both a counselor and coach taught me how to mentor the whole person, beyond the student-athlete.
I completed my Doctorate in Education from Vanderbilt University in 1997. This level of learning has provided me with a broad and in-depth understanding of student-athletes and technical instruction. I also worked as the Director of Sport Administration and as an Assistant Professor at Belmont University from 2005 to 2010.
Since 1991, I’ve led symposiums and summits at the United States Olympic Training Center. I’ve also presented at state, regional, and national conferences on a variety of subjects, including team building, personal development, and coaching.
Although I loved coaching at the collegiate level, I always felt I could make better contributions to teaching the fundamentals of throwing. In 2004, I began privately coaching athletes of all ages. Today, I am a school coach at Franklin Road Academy, where I’ve coached since 2010. I continue to widen my perspective and experiences as a throwing coach, mentor, and life coach.
Career
Education
Vanderbilt University, 1997
Nashville, TN
Emphasis: Intercollegiate Athletics
Dissertation: Qualitative Portraiture of the Female Intercollegiate Athletic Experience in Four Elite Women’s Basketball Programs
Master of Education (M.Ed.), Higher Education Administration
Vanderbilt University, 1990
Nashville, TN
Speech Communications, B.S.
South Dakota State University, 1979
Brookings, SD
Coaching
Track & Field Throws Coach
Franklin Road Academy, 2011 – Present Nashville, TN
Track & Field Coach
Vanderbilt University, 1991 – 2005 Nashville, TN
Club Coach
Steel Throwers Club, LLC, 2010 ﹣2017 Nashville, TN
- Co-coached 12-15 area high school throwers
- Majority of throwers competed at national level
- All throwers went to collegiate programs
- Several throwers became NCAA All-Americans & one USA national champion
Teaching & Mentoring
Belmont University, Department of Sport Science, 2007﹣2010
Nashville, TN
- Served in recruiting & student affairs role
- Developed an undergraduate minor in Athletic Coaching
- Taught undergraduate courses & ‘Principles of Athletic Coaching’
- Taught graduate course called ‘Sport in Society’
Director of Sport Administration
Belmont University, 2005﹣2007
Nashville, TN
- Served as Director of graduate program in Sport Administration
- Served in recruiting & student affairs role
- Increased academic expectation, student performance, & student relations
- Strengthened internship & job placement in the local sports industry
- Re-started the Sport Administration Advisory Council & the Alumni Chapter
Athletic/Academic Counselor Student-Athletes
Vanderbilt University Department of Athletics, 1991﹣2005
Nashville, TN
- Worked with male & female athletes in every sport, including at-risk student-athletes
- Served in recruiting & student affairs role
- Led individual weekly meetings with a focus on personal accountability & time
- Learned the fundamentals of student-athlete support at the NCAA Division I level
Professional Development
Training Design Symposium
United States Olympic Training Center, March 2008
Colorado Springs, CO
Women in Coaching Summit
United States Olympic Training Center, September 2006
Colorado Springs, CO
Coaches Summit: Women in Sport
Athletes in Action Headquarters
August 2006
Xenia, OH
Junior Elite Throws Camp Clinician
ARCO, United States Olympic Training Center, August 1998
San Diego, CA
- Taught throwing technique with NCAA Collegiate Record Holder Meg Richie Stone
- Taught shot put & discus with 20 elite junior women throwers, ages 14-18
Essentials of Leadership for Student-Athlete Leaders
Vanderbilt University, Fall 1999
- Team-taught non-credit course for student-athletes
- Developed a course based on academic expectations, class, managing class time, study time, tests, values, personal goals, academic goals, thinking, & learning
Building Academic Scholars and Athletic Leaders
Vanderbilt University, Spring 1999
- Team-taught non-credit course for student-athletes
- Developed course curriculum using athletics staff & faculty members as presenters
- Sought to foster observation, perception, analytical thinking, learning, & creativity
- Enhanced the university experience & leadership potential of student-athlete participants
Awards & Other Credentials
USA Track & Field
Doug Hall Relay Coaching Award for Outstanding Service to Metro Nashville Track & Field
Doug Hall Relays Committee
Interpersonal Career Experience
Office of Honorable James Abdnor, R-SD
1979﹣1984
Washington, DC
- Responsible for phone & mail requests
- Coordinated White House & Washington, DC tours
- Designed & led private tours of US Capitol for more than 500 guests
- Organized Capitol Hills Receptions for Mr. Abdnor
- Coordinated 1980 US Senate Inaugural Reception for 300 guests
- Learned & gained strong people skills
Public Relations
North American Baptist Seminary (now Sioux Falls Seminary)
1984﹣1989
Sioux Falls, SD
- Worked in public relations, photography, recruiting, advertising, & publications
Services
Tennessee Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (TAHPERD) 2013﹣Present
- We have worked five years to pass the Tom Cronan Act for Elementary Physical Education, which guarantees two days of elementary physical education for all children in Tennessee
Board of Directors
Nashville Rescue Mission
2006﹣2017
Team Leader
Single Adult Fellowship Ministry to Men in Life Recovery
Nashville Rescue Mission
1999﹣Present
Ordained Deacon
Nashville First
2017﹣Present
Member
Keyboards for Christmas
Nashville First (Six Grand Piano Concert)
2011, 2013
I met Coach Fran when I was entering my freshman year in high school and I can say that she is one of the best throwing coaches in the area! She also truly cares for each one of her athletes. Coach Fran is way more than just a coach. I would consider her a lifelong friend!
I can attribute a lot of my success to her rare technical insight, fantastic coaching style, and can-do attitude. Throughout my throwing career, I have won two Tennessee state championships, one state runner-up, and qualified for the NCAA Division 1 preliminary round four times.
Coach Fran has helped me improve my distances significantly and is always a pleasure to practice with. If you’re looking for a coach around the Nashville area, there is not a better one than Coach Fran.
Adam Neelly
University of Memphis
Men’s Track & Field Thrower
Business Administration Major
I can attribute a lot of my success to her rare technical insight, fantastic coaching style, and can-do attitude. Throughout my throwing career, I have won two Tennessee state championships, one state runner-up, and qualified for the NCAA Division 1 preliminary round four times.
Coach Fran has helped me improve my distances significantly and is always a pleasure to practice with. If you’re looking for a coach around the Nashville area, there is not a better one than Coach Fran.
Adam Neelly
University of Memphis
Men’s Track & Field Thrower
Business Administration Major
Ready to get started? Send Fran a message today!