Andrew graduated from Oregon State University in 2000 and holds a BS in Business Administration-Finance.

As a former college player Checketts was named to several All-America teams and was voted the Pac-10 North Most Valuable player in 1998.  He was a starting pitcher all four of his college years starting with the University of Florida in 1995 and moving to Oregon State in 1996 through 1998.  After the 1998 college season Checketts was a 21st round draft pick of the Boston Red Sox.

Checketts played summer ball during his college days with the Tacoma Timbers of the Pacific International League and competed against the Oilers in Kenai.  Andrew also served as pitching coach for the Aloha Knights, a summer collegiate team from Portland, Oregon.

In December of 1999 the 25-year-old Oilers pitching coach married the former Stacey Spencer and the couple reside in Corona, California.  Stacey has plans to make her first visit to Kenai this summer.

Rich was a teammate of Oilers head coach Aric Thomas at the University of Oklahoma and was a four-year starter at shortstop appearing at the the College World Series in 1992, 1994 and 1995.  The Sooners won the CWS in 1994.  While at Oklahoma, Hills received many personal awards.  He was twice named to All-America teams and was a 3 time all conference and all region player.

Rich played in the Cape Cod League in 1993 and was named to the all-star team.  

Hills is single and now makes his home in Norman, Oklahoma.