Issue link: http://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/62274
Pac-10 schools have produced 16 Honda Award winners and over 200 All-Americans. These standout players include Dot Richardson, Yvonne Guitierrez, Jenny Dalton, Gillian Boxx, Sara Pickering, Alison McCutcheon and Stacey Nuveman; Pitchers Jennie Finch, Lisa Fernandez, Michele Granger, Nancy Evans, Danielle Lawrie, Lisa Longaker and Susie Parra. In addition, Leah Braatz of Arizona was named the NFCA Catcher of the Year in 1997 and 1998. Stacey Nuveman won the award in 1999, 2001 and 2002, and Washington All-American Kristen Rivera won the honor in 2005. The Pac-10 is heavy with legendary coaches who's influence on the sport can be felt even today - from Sue Enquist of UCLA to Arizona's Mike Candrea to Arizona State's Clint Myers. Likewise, the new generation of top Pac-10 coaches have made their marks early in their careers, with former players Heather Tarr of Washington and Kelly Inouye-Perez of UCLA winning the 2009 and 2010 NCAA titles, respectively. Enquist, a four-year letterman as a player for the Bruins, sparked UCLA to its first national championship, an AIAW title in 1978. After graduation, Enquist spent just one season away from Westwood, returning in 1980 as an assistant coach and later elevated to co-head coach in 1989. As either a co-head coach or head coach from 1989-2006, she has led the Bruins to six national titles, finishing her career with a record of 887-175-1 and an .834 winning percentage, the best in the history of NCAA softball. Enquist coached the likes of Bruin softball greats Lisa Fernandez, Dot Richardson and Gina Vecchione. Fernandez and Richardson were both star pitchers on Team USA. Vecchione became the first UCLA player to be inducted into the Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) Hall of Fame in 1997. Arizona's Mike Candrea has carried the torch for Pac-10 softball beyond the collegiate walls, as the head coach for Team USA. In the last four summer games, the Pac-10 has produced 65 Olympians. Candrea has accumulated a multitude of accolades throughout the years, from 10 Pac-10 Coach of the Year honors to 19 league, regional and national coaching honors. He has produced five National Player of the Year award winners - pitcher Susie Parra (1994), infielder Jenny Dalton (1996), pitcher Nancy Evans (1998) and pitcher Jennie Finch (2001-2002). The dynamic softball history of the Pac-10, with legendary coaches and players alike, will continue to carry Pac-10 softball as we embark on the next 25 years of women's athletics. No other conference in the country can claim the domination in one sport like the Pac-10 can in softball, winning 23 of 29 NCAA titles. And it is with all this history, legacy and heritage that Pac-10 teams continue to attract the strongest softball athletes in the nation, with the passion and drive to continue the Pac-10's unprecedented softball success. Celebrating 25 Years of Pac-10 Women's Sports Power and greatness. Passion and dedication. Triumph and victory.