Grand Canyon University Softball

Grand Canyon University (GCU) is a private Christian university located in Phoenix, Arizona, and its softball team has been a prominent force in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I. The GCU Softball team, also known as the Lopes, competes in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) and has a rich history of producing talented players and achieving notable successes.

Program History and Achievements

The GCU Softball program was established in 2004 and has since become a reputable force in collegiate softball. The team has won several conference championships, including the Pacific West Conference (PWC) title in 2011 and the WAC regular-season championship in 2020. The Lopes have also made appearances in the NCAA Tournament, with their most recent appearance being in 2020. The team’s success can be attributed to the leadership of its coaching staff, which has included notable coaches such as Ann Pierson and Shanon Hays.

Notable Players and Alumni

The GCU Softball program has produced several talented players who have gone on to achieve success at the professional and international levels. One notable example is Taylor Olson, a former Lopes pitcher who was drafted by the Chicago Bandits in the 2019 National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) draft. Another example is Megan Hoffman, a former GCU outfielder who played for the Canadian national team in the 2019 Softball World Championship. The program’s emphasis on developing well-rounded players has enabled its alumni to excel both on and off the field.

Facilities and Resources

The GCU Softball team plays its home games at the GCU Softball Stadium, a state-of-the-art facility that features a natural grass surface, stadium seating, and a video scoreboard. The stadium has a seating capacity of over 500 and offers a unique and intimate atmosphere for fans to watch the Lopes compete. The team also has access to a dedicated softball practice facility, which features batting cages, pitching lanes, and a strength and conditioning area.

Coaching Staff and Support

The GCU Softball coaching staff is led by head coach Shanon Hays, who has over 20 years of coaching experience at the NCAA Division I level. The staff also includes experienced assistants and support personnel, who provide guidance and mentorship to the team’s players. The program’s emphasis on academic support and player development has enabled its student-athletes to excel both on and off the field.

• The GCU Softball program offers a range of academic support services, including tutoring and mentoring, to help its student-athletes succeed in the classroom.
• The team's coaching staff has a strong network of contacts in the softball community, which enables them to attract top recruits and provide opportunities for players to compete at the professional and international levels.
• The program's focus on player development has enabled its alumni to achieve success in a range of fields, including coaching, sports management, and sports media.