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• September 17, 2015

Claire Sua-Amundson has been named head coach of the Cal State East Bay softball team, Director of Athletics Joan McDermott announced Thursday.

Sua-Amundson has spent the past 10 seasons as an assistant coach at the Division I level, with stints at Cal Poly, Stanford, and Cal State Fullerton. Prior to that, she was a two-time NCAA national champion as a student-athlete at UCLA. 

"I am thrilled that Claire will be joining the Pioneer family," McDermott said. "She has played and coached at the highest levels of collegiate softball, and her knowledge and passion for the sport are exceptional. Claire brings a championship pedigree to East Bay, and I'm confident she will be an outstanding fit with our program."

Sua-Amundson spent the 2015 season as an assistant coach at Cal State Fullerton, where she specialized in the team's offense, as well as the development of pitchers and catchers. She also served as the coordinator for academics, travel, equipment, and compliance for a team that went 34-22 last season. Under her tutelage, the hitters set a program record for batting average (.312). Fullerton boasted six All-Big West players and an All-American in 2015, and they led the conference in seven offensive categories. 

"I am so honored to be the next head coach of Cal State East Bay softball," Sua-Amundson said. "Joan McDermott, Dr. David Larson, and the entire athletic staff have been so welcoming throughout this entire process. The excitement and enthusiasm in the athletic department is truly remarkable, and I am grateful for this opportunity. I cannot wait to get on the field with the student-athletes so we can start building for the upcoming season."

Prior to her stint at Cal State Fullerton, Sua-Amundson spent four seasons as the associate head coach at Stanford University. She specialized in infielders and offensive development with the Cardinal, while also managing recruiting, travel, equipment, camps, and the program's budget.

Stanford reached the NCAA Regionals twice in Sua-Amundson’s four years and the offense set program records for batting average (.318), hits (502), runs (337), triples (20), and runs batted in (302) during her tenure. She coached two All-Americans, including 2011 USA Softball Player of the Year Ashley Hansen.

Before that, Sua-Amundson was the assistant coach at Cal Poly for five seasons, focusing on infielders, pitchers and offensive development. She also organized and coordinated all recruiting efforts and managed the program's fundraising and community engagement events. She helped the Mustangs capture their first ever Big West championships (2007 and 2009), while establishing program records for victories and winning percentage.

Sua-Amundson earned her B.A. in history from UCLA, where she graduated in 2005 as one of the most decorated softball players in school history. She was an All-Pac 10 selection in each of her four seasons for the Bruins and helped the team post a record of 218-31. She also helped UCLA advance to the Women's College World Series in each of her four years. 

Sua-Amundson was a two-time All-American and led the Bruins to back-to-back NCAA national championships (2003-04) during her junior and senior years. She batted .325 for her career and still ranks in the top-10 in program history in home runs (50) runs batted in (196), walks (96), total bases (410), and games played (240).

"I cannot wait to get back on the field working with the players one-on-one," Sua-Amundson said. "There is a great nucleus of players and support staff returning to the program this season, which gives us an important foundation to build on. I want to make this place my home and build a family environment for the staff, players, and alumni. We have great alumni, and I can't wait to welcome them back to 91短视频 every year. I'm also really looking forward to working with Joan, a visionary leader in athletics who empowers us coaches with her involvement and development of student-athletes."

Sua-Amundson will succeed Barbara Pierce, who stepped down this past summer after nine seasons, during which she became the winningest coach in program history. Sua-Amundson inherits a squad that has posted winning records in three of the last four seasons within the perennially competitive California Collegiate Athletic Association.