Adrian Mendoza named assistant softball coach
7/9/2010 7:00:00 AM | Softball
The Livingston, Texas, product will begin work as head coach Bob Brock's assistant on August 1. She succeeds Selena Collins who left Sam Houston to become head softball coach at Trinity University in San Antonio.
Mendoza and Collins were teammates at Texas A&M where Mendoza was a four-year starter for the Aggies, playing shortstop, second base and outfield. After graduation, she played shortstop for the Texas Thunder in Stafford in the National Pro Fastpitch league.
She served as head coach of MC Elite 16 softball club in Willis and was an individual softball instructor and clinician in College Station before joining the New England Riptide as an assistant coach in the National Pro Fastpitch league.
Mendoza moved to Salt Lake City in August 2007 to become assistant softball coach and operations director. She instructed squad members in hitting, infield and outfield while also serving as the program's recruiting coordinator and team travel supervisor. She has worked every summer since 2002 the Texas A&M Softball Camp as an instructor and counselor.
"We're so excited to bring Adrian to Sam Houston," Brock said. "Her experience as a player and a coach at both the college and pro level make her a tremendous addition to our program. Having watched her play in high school and college, I know she is an outstanding competitor. Adrian has an outstanding work ethic and we can't wait to get her back to Texas."
The Livingston native is a 2006 graduate of Texas A&M with a bachelor of science degree in recreation, park and tourism sciences and a minor in business administration. She compiled a 3.47 overall grade point average during her four years at Texas A&M, earning ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-Region and Academic All-Big 12 honors.
As captain of the Aggie softball team her junior and senior years, Gregory helped lead Texas A&M to a Big 12 Conference championship and an NCAA Super Regional playoff appearance. She earned All-Conference honors as a junior and completed her career with a .284 batting average, 197 hits, 29 home runs and 33 stolen bases.
"This is such an exciting opportunity. To be able to return to Texas and to work with one of the winningest coaches in NCAA softball is really something," Medonza said. "Having played against Sam Houston in college and being from the area, I know the girls on the roster and know it's going to be fun working with them. I can't wait to get started."
