SOFTBALL HEAD COACH Patti Gerckens undertakes her 29th season this year . In 2011 , Gerckens and her staff were National Fastpitch Coaches Association ( NFCA ) Coaching Staff of the Year , an honor earned amid a record 45 victories in a single season and an undefeated NCAA Tournament , ending in the program ’ s first National Championship title . With just under three decades of coaching behind her , she now heads to DI competition building on a strong foundation .
What is the biggest change you ’ ve seen coaching at UC San Diego ? UC San Diego always gave students a great education — a successful softball program was just a bonus . In the past , athletes paid for their own gear and were given minimal , if any , food money on road trips . Today , the scholar-athletes are fortunate to get all their gear from the department , and coaches are able to give athletic scholarships . We still have the same high academic standards and expectations , just more resources . Moving to Division I has already brought much excitement to campus and will increase recognition for our great university . I think that professors and other staff members are much more engaged with the athletic program now , too .
Talk about winning the national championship — what did it mean to you ? I am so blessed and fortunate to have had a great group of athletes and coaches who came together at the right time , really bought into the program , worked extremely hard and continued to fight until the end . It was a dream come true . It was very surreal when it was happening , and even afterward it didn ’ t really sink in . Only years down the road do you begin to understand how hard it can be to win a championship . Every year after , you keep vying for that final game to win it all , but you realize there are so many teams out there that are so talented , and things have to fall into place .
How would you characterize the road from DIII to DII and now to DI ? From the first time I walked onto campus , I knew we would become a Division I program because our athletic department always did everything at the highest level . Judy Sweet set the standard for success , and Earl Edwards really took over that philosophy when he became the athletic director . And what a long way we ’ ve come — in Division I , it ’ s a whole new ball game with new teams and challenges . UC San Diego is such a great university , with many accolades already . I know with time , UC San Diego will not only be known for impressive academics but also as one of the best athletic programs in the country . I ’ m confident we ’ re ready for the transition , and I ’ m excited to see it unfold .
What do you hope your players take away from their time in your program and at UC San Diego ? I hope my players take away the meaning of family and respect . I always preach how important it is to respect one another , both on and off the field , even when you may disagree . I hope that they learn how to be grateful in life and to understand that they have been given a gift of talent . Very few people have the ability to play collegiately . I want them to be grateful for that opportunity on top of everything else that they have been given , that includes lifelong friendships with their teammates and a long-term support system from their coaches , even after they graduate .
What are some of the biggest lessons you ’ ve learned during your time coaching at UC San Diego ? The idea of person over player . Most athletes will become better through encouragement rather than constant criticism . If you can get athletes to believe in themselves , then they can do just about anything . It takes patience , understanding and time — you really need to get to know your players as people . I ’ ve also learned it ’ s important to reach out and ask for help — to other coaches within the department or other people in the sport . In the end , we ’ re all in this
“ We always thought , ‘ Coach can be tough !’ and we joke that she ’ s softened over time — I think she ’ d admit that too . But she still has high standards and expectations . Now , as a coach myself , I see why we did certain things and how they benefitted generations of players . I ’ m also proud of UC San Diego because I understand the work and resources required to move to Division I and how much it can change an athlete ’ s experience . UCSD is in our conference now , and Coach is going to put a great team on the field — one that will be very tough to beat !” – Nikki Palmer ’ 07 , current head softball coach at UC Riverside .
“ Patti ’ s extremely high expectations made such an impact on me as a person and how I live my life . Patti wanted to win and never faltered from that , but she was also a ton of fun and had time for real conversations , especially driving to away games .
Now , as an alumna , I come back to games and bring my daughters ; they call her “ Coach ” too . And while I look forward to cheering on the team in Division I , I know Patti ’ s mindset and high expectations won ’ t change — she always inspired us to be our best , no matter the opponent .” – Michelle Christman ( Wilson ) ’ 01
together . It ’ s not easy to be a coach for so long ; there can be a lot of burnout . But I can say that I ’ ve never felt burnt out because I ’ ve been around such great energy from the players and coaches at UC San Diego . I really love what I do , and over the last 30 years , I ’ ve realized I don ’ t go to “ work ” every day , but I go
to play . It ’ s hard play , but I still love it .
— Maddy Lewis ’ 19
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