It was announced earlier today by Director of Athletics Jeff Martinez that Head Softball Coach Dani Spaulding has resigned from her post with the University of Redlands, effective Friday, July 15, 2016. After three years at the helm of the program and four years of coaching overall, Spaulding has accepted a position as the pitching coach at Long Beach State University.
"I just want to thank the Bulldog family for everything these past four years. I have grown as a person and as a coach and wouldn't be where I am, if I wasn't given an opportunity," Spaulding commented.
Spaulding originally joined the Bulldog coaching staff as a graduate assistant coach prior to the 2012-13 academic year. Upon the departure of long-time head coach Laurie Nevarez, she then served as our "interim" head coach during the 2013-14 academic year and directed the Bulldogs to an impressive 31-15 overall record, a 23-5 Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) mark, and the program's 10th-consecutive conference championship.
Later that summer, Spaulding was named head coach for the Bulldogs and has since continued the tradition of excellence in the program. During her four years with the team, the Bulldogs have won two regular-season SCIAC titles and made three SCIAC postseason tournament appearances. Her overall record as head coach during the past three seasons is 76-52, including one SCIAC championship. She has coached numerous All-SCIAC performers and a pair of National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Americans.
In addition to the leadership provided for the softball program, Spaulding served as the advisor to the Redlands Student-Athlete Advisory Council. She has worked tirelessly with the student-athletes to create leadership opportunities for them and improve the overall quality of events like the annual Golden Bone awards.
"We thank Dani for her many contributions to the University of Redlands, the Bulldog student-athlete experience, and most importantly, the guidance, mentoring and direction provided to the young women in our softball program the past four years," stated Martinez.