By Megan Herboth – UCFKnights.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – UCF Softball head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie announced two additions to her coaching staff on Wednesday. Former Youngstown State standout Tiffany Patteson has been named assistant coach, while Jeff Conrad joins the Knights as a volunteer assistant.
“I feel like our coaching staff gains so much with the additions of Tiffany and Jeff,” Gillispie said. “Tiffany brings both collegiate and international playing experience, and spent the last seven years as an assistant coach. Jeff has the combination of playing, coaching and working with some extremely talented players.”
Patteson comes to UCF after seven seasons as an assistant coach at her alma mater Youngstown State, including the last four as the associate head coach. She returned to YSU in the fall of 2008 after a highly decorated playing career from 2003-06 and primarily worked with the outfielders and hitters. During her tenure as associate head coach, Patteson recruited the 2014 Horizon League Player of the Year, Miranda Castiglione, and Freshman of the Year, Sarah Dowd, and developed the 2012 Horizon League Player of the Year, Haley Thomas.
A four-time All-Horizon League selection, Patteson finished her career at YSU as the only player in school history to play in more than 200 games, starting all 205 games. She also set career records in hits (231), at-bats (664), doubles (56) triples (18), walks (84) and runs scored (126).
The Guelph, Ontario, native also brings international experience to UCF. She was a silver medalist at the 2003 Pan American Games as a member of Team Canada. She also competed for Team Canada from 2003-05 at the Canadian Fastpitch International Championship and played in the 2003 Softball World Cup and 2004 World University Games.
Jeff Conrad joins the Knights after successful stints as both a high school assistant coach and the head coach of the 18-Gold Tampa Mustangs. Spending six seasons at the high school level, he mentored numerous all-conference and all-state players. As an assistant coach at H.B. Plant, he helped the Panthers to FHSAA Elite Eight appearances in 2008 and 2009 and district championships in 2010 and 2011.
Taking over as head coach of the 18-Gold Tampa Mustangs in 2013, he led the team to a 31-5 overall record, including three tournament titles in his first season. The Mustangs finished the season ranked 23rd in the nation.
He earned a baseball scholarship to Valparaiso University and spent time at the USA Baseball National Team camp and the San Diego Padres’ Elite Prospect camp. Conrad also spent time working with his sister, Traci, who was a three-time softball All-American at Michigan. A two-time Big Ten Player of the Year, she is the all-time career hits leader in the Big Ten and played for the U.S. National Team.
At UCF, Patteson’s primary responsibilities will be infielders and hitting with Conrad assisting in both areas.
The Knights open the fall ball schedule on Friday when they host Florida State College at Jacksonville at 11 a.m. and Hillsborough at 4 p.m.
