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Letty Olivarez Hired

Softball

Letty Olivarez Hired to Lead CSUB Softball

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Kyle Conder has announced the newest member of the Cal State Bakersfield coaching staff as Letty Olivarez has been tabbed as the next Head Coach of the Roadrunner softball team. Olivarez will bring more than a decade of coaching experience and a lifetime of softball knowledge to Bakersfield looking to continue rebuilding the CSUB program.
 
"Letty is a great fit for Cal State Bakersfield Softball," said Conder, CSUB's Director of Athletics. "She is a talented and dynamic coach who will lead our program with passion. She values our four pillars: Academic Excellence, Outstanding Student-Athlete Experience, Competitive Success, and Community Engagement."
 
A native of California, Olivarez ventured East to play out her collegiate career in the Big Ten Conference at the University of Wisconsin. While with the Badgers, Olivarez earned All-Big Ten honors as a pitcher and set school records for strikeouts in a game. Following her collegiate career, which included invitations to participate with the Mexican and Peruvian National Teams, Olivarez set out on a coaching journey that eventually led her to Kern County this summer.
 
"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead the CSUB softball program and make a difference in Bakersfield," Olivarez stated. "I am confident that with the support of the community we can recreate a winning program and develop our facilities to provide the best possible environment for our young athletes. I am committed to getting the city involved and filling up the stadium with passionate fans."
 
Olivarez spent the past three seasons at San José State, serving the Spartans as an assistant coach under Tammy Lohmann. SJSU fought its way to the Mountain West Tournament Championship Game in 2023 with Olivarez guiding the Spartan pitchers every pitch of the way. Her direction helped SJSU ace Jenessa Ullegue to a First Team All-Region honor this past season.
 
In total, Olivarez spent five seasons at SJSU, also enjoying a two-year stint as an assistant coach with the Spartans in 2017 and 2018. In between those shifts, she served in the same position at Texas Tech. She helped lead the Red Raiders to their first NCAA Regional Appearance since 2012 and the best record in program history while also coaching Erin Edmoundson to a perfect game in 2020.
 
Faithful `Runner fans may remember CSUB's connection to former Texas Tech coaches as legendary CSUB softball coach Kathy Welter led the Red Raiders for three years before coming to Bakersfield. In 26 seasons at CSUB, Welter posted nearly 1,000 victories on the diamond.
 
Olivarez conveyed appreciation for the village of people who helped pave her path to Bakersfield: "I want to express my gratitude to Tairia Flowers, John Rittman, Tammy Lohmann, Scottie Graham, Jeff Konya, Scott MacDonald, and to the travel ball coaches that I have built great relationships with over the years. Your guidance, mentorship, and belief in me have played a significant role in my development as a coach and I am truly grateful for the knowledge and skills you have imparted on me. I also want to thank my family for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout my coaching career. Your love and belief in me have been instrumental in my success. I am fortunate to have such a strong support system behind me. Lastly, I am extremely grateful to Kyle Conder and Cindy Goodmon for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. Their support and trust mean the world to me, and I am determined to exceed their expectations."

Olivarez also brings one year of experience as a head coach to the `Runners. After joining the Pac-12's Arizona State in Fall of 2015, she served as a Co-Interim Head Coach of the Sun Devils alongside Robert Wagner. The duo guided ASU to the postseason while maintaining a Top 25 ranking all season long.
 
"I chose Bakersfield because I am very family oriented and the city provides that strong sense of community," Olivarez added. "I also believe there is a great pipeline of talented athletes in central California who want to stay home. I am confident that together, we can put Bakersfield on the map and showcase the incredible talent this region has to offer."
 
Starting her coaching career in the Pac-12, Olivarez assisted at Stanford for three years before moving to CSUN in The Big West for the 2015 season.
 
"We are excited for our student-athletes, alumnae, and community to meet Coach Olivarez and learn about her vision," Conder concluded. "She has the experience and expertise to lead our program in The Big West as we pursue championships and graduate leaders."
 
~GoRunners.com~
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