SAN MARCOS, Calif. – Cal State San Marcos Director of Athletics Jennifer Milo announced today the appointment of Laurie Nevarez as the Cougars' fourth Head Softball Coach in program history.

Nevarez comes to CSUSM after 10 years as head softball coach at the University of Redlands, a NCAA Division III institution competing in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC). In her final year at Redlands in 2013, the Bulldogs tied the school record for wins in a season en route to a stellar 36-12 showing and a 22-6 conference clip. In addition, Redlands won its ninth straight SCIAC title and qualified for its ninth consecutive trip to the NCAA Division III Championships.

"Laurie Nevarez comes to CSUSM with impressive credentials. Her NCAA experience is important as our department looks to transition into the NCAA," said Milo. "Laurie's priorities are right in line with our department's mission statement: academic excellence, athletic success, and providing a top notch student-athlete experience. Laurie will lead our softball team to continued growth and success."

Nevarez will be on campus for the first time as head coach on August 15 for the CSUSM coaches' Back-to-School Workshop.

"I'd first like to thank Jen Milo and the hiring committee by allowing me to become part of the Cougar family," said Nevarez. "CSUSM has a strong tradition of success. I look forward to continuing that success by working with great people and standout athletes."

During her time at Redlands from 2004-13, Nevarez posted a .733 (319-116-1) overall winning percentage and an .836 (194-38) winning percentage in the SCIAC.  Under Nevarez's leadership, the Bulldogs produced five All-Americans, 40 all-region athletes, 70 all-conference athletes, four Rookies of the Year and five SCIAC Players of the Year.

Redlands won 30 or more contests in nine of her 10 seasons.
In addition to being the head coach, Nevarez also served as the Eligibility and Compliance Coordinator for the past seven years, where she regularly ran NCAA rules seminars and maintained NCAA eligibility rules and regulations.

Nevarez also sat as the SCIAC League Chair, was a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) advisor, and was a committee member of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA).

Prior to becoming the head coach at Redlands, Nevarez was an elementary school teacher in the San Bernardino City Unified School District from 2001-05. In 2000, she got her first head coaching experience at Rio Hondo Community College.

Nevarez played her collegiate ball from 1995-98 at UCLA, where she was a four-year letterwinner and a member of the 1995 national championship squad. Nevarez compiled a career .301 batting average, hit over .300 in her final two seasons and was named All-Pac 10 in 1997 and 1998. 

After her eligibility expired in '98, Nevarez joined the 1999 Bruin coaching staff as an undergraduate assistant coach while finishing her Bachelor of Arts in History. The '99 squad would go on to win the program's ninth national title on the heels of a school-record 63 victories.

Nevarez is currently married to her husband, Sonny, and has two daughters, Gabriela and Giuliana.