Former Rebels Standout Linda Garza To Helm Highlanders Softball Program
6/18/2012 6:56:00 PM | Softball
Riverside—UC Riverside Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Brian Wickstrom announced today that former UNLV standout and current Cal Poly Associate Head Coach Linda Garza has been selected as the new head coach of the Highlanders Softball Team. (Read the Press-Enterprise article).
"After a thorough search that spanned more than 70 applicants, I am excited to have Linda join the UC Riverside family," said Wickstrom. "She brings NCAA Tournament experience with her, having led Wright State to the postseason three years ago, and top scholar-athlete credentials from her time as a player at UNLV in the Mountain West Conference.
"We spoke to close to 100 people in the collegiate softball community about candidates, and everybody reiterated what we learned in our search: 'Linda is a first-class individual who works 22-hours a day at making her program better'.
"Our student-athletes will enjoy working with Linda, and we are all looking forward to what the future holds as she takes our program to the next level."
Garza joins the Highlanders after two seasons with the Mustangs.
"I'm excited about the future of Highlanders softball," Garza exclaimed. "Mr. Wickstrom and the entire UC Riverside athletics department have taken tremendous strides in backing the future success of the program.
"I am grateful for this wonderful opportunity and look forward to representing Highlanders athletics. I'm eager to begin working with the current players as well as getting to know the alumni and the community. The future looks bright, and I can't wait to get started!"
Prior to her time with the Mustangs, Garza served as the head coach at Wright State during the 2010 season. After directing Wright State to a third-place finish in the Horizon League regular season standings, Garza’s Raiders captured the postseason tournament title to advance to the NCAA Tournament. Three Raiders were named to the 2010 All-Horizon League first team under Garza’s guidance as the program established single-season records for hits (538), walks (148) and stolen bases (150).
Garza arrived at Wright State after serving as the top assistant at Purdue (2006-09), aiding the Boilermakers to 30-plus victories during each of her four seasons. At Purdue, Garza assisted with both recruiting and scheduling while helping in the refinement of the program’s outfielders. Under Garza’s guidance, Purdue established five program offensive records, while 10 Boilermakers earned All-Big Ten Conference praise.
Garza, who has also served as an assistant at Tulsa and Arkansas, received her start at UNLV, where she worked for one season as a student assistant coach following her playing career with the Rebels (1998-01).
A four-year starter at second base, third base and in the outfield, Garza finished her UNLV career ranked among the program’s top 10 players in career doubles, walks, hits and sacrifices. Garza, who earned All-Mountain West Conference praise as a senior after leading UNLV in triples, RBIs and sacrifice hits, started the final 155 games of her career.
A four-time All-Mountain West academic honoree, Garza received a bachelor's degree in health education from UNLV in 2002 and a master's degree in kinesiology from Texas Woman's University in May 2009.
"After a thorough search that spanned more than 70 applicants, I am excited to have Linda join the UC Riverside family," said Wickstrom. "She brings NCAA Tournament experience with her, having led Wright State to the postseason three years ago, and top scholar-athlete credentials from her time as a player at UNLV in the Mountain West Conference.
"We spoke to close to 100 people in the collegiate softball community about candidates, and everybody reiterated what we learned in our search: 'Linda is a first-class individual who works 22-hours a day at making her program better'.
"Our student-athletes will enjoy working with Linda, and we are all looking forward to what the future holds as she takes our program to the next level."
Garza joins the Highlanders after two seasons with the Mustangs.
"I'm excited about the future of Highlanders softball," Garza exclaimed. "Mr. Wickstrom and the entire UC Riverside athletics department have taken tremendous strides in backing the future success of the program.
"I am grateful for this wonderful opportunity and look forward to representing Highlanders athletics. I'm eager to begin working with the current players as well as getting to know the alumni and the community. The future looks bright, and I can't wait to get started!"
Prior to her time with the Mustangs, Garza served as the head coach at Wright State during the 2010 season. After directing Wright State to a third-place finish in the Horizon League regular season standings, Garza’s Raiders captured the postseason tournament title to advance to the NCAA Tournament. Three Raiders were named to the 2010 All-Horizon League first team under Garza’s guidance as the program established single-season records for hits (538), walks (148) and stolen bases (150).
Garza arrived at Wright State after serving as the top assistant at Purdue (2006-09), aiding the Boilermakers to 30-plus victories during each of her four seasons. At Purdue, Garza assisted with both recruiting and scheduling while helping in the refinement of the program’s outfielders. Under Garza’s guidance, Purdue established five program offensive records, while 10 Boilermakers earned All-Big Ten Conference praise.
Garza, who has also served as an assistant at Tulsa and Arkansas, received her start at UNLV, where she worked for one season as a student assistant coach following her playing career with the Rebels (1998-01).
A four-year starter at second base, third base and in the outfield, Garza finished her UNLV career ranked among the program’s top 10 players in career doubles, walks, hits and sacrifices. Garza, who earned All-Mountain West Conference praise as a senior after leading UNLV in triples, RBIs and sacrifice hits, started the final 155 games of her career.
A four-time All-Mountain West academic honoree, Garza received a bachelor's degree in health education from UNLV in 2002 and a master's degree in kinesiology from Texas Woman's University in May 2009.
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