Courtesy of UC Davis Athletics
DAVIS, Calif. – Erin Thorpe, who posted 30-win seasons three times since 2011 as Boise State’s first-ever softball coach, has been named head softball coach at UC Davis, it was announced on Monday by Director of Athletics Terry Tumey.
Thorpe joins the Aggies after compiling an overall record of 173-150-1, including an impressive 53-15 (.779) home record over the past four seasons. Overall, her teams were 73-34 (.682) at home. Additionally, the Broncos twice finished in second place during the Western Athletic Conference regular season and were third in the WAC Tournament in just their second year. They have been members of the Mountain West Conference the past three seasons.
“UC Davis provides outstanding academic programs, a high-quality support staff, and an environment where student-athletes can thrive,” Thorpe said. “I look forward to recruiting quality student-athletes who will take full advantage of the academic and competitive opportunities UC Davis has to offer.
“The Big West has a tradition of being one of the best softball conferences in the nation,” she added. “My goal will be to produce a team that competes for a Big West championship and NCAA playoff berth each year.”
Thorpe was tabbed as Boise State’s first-ever head softball coach when the Broncos added the sport in 2009. She was responsible for managing all aspects of the program, including recruiting, player development, fundraising, budget management, marketing and supervision of assistant coaches and staff.
The Broncos received several playing and academic awards during Thorpe’s tenure. Outfielder Tara Glover became the program’s first-ever National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American in 2012. Five others were named NFCA all-region, 18 received all-conference accolades, 23 were selected NFCA All-Academic, and 55 garnered academic all-conference awards.
Boise State also received its second perfect Academic Progress Rate score in as many seasons this past May and currently boasts the Mountain West’s highest APR.
“We’re excited to have Erin join our athletics program,” said Tumey. “Her coaching experience, business acumen and commitment to our students will provide our softball program great leadership, and position us to be competitive nationally.”
Since the Broncos’ opening season in 2009 – a campaign that saw Boise State collect its first-ever postseason victory in its WAC Tournament debut – Thorpe guided the program’s rapid evolution from league neophyte to an elite program. In just its second year of existence, Boise State returned to the WAC Tournament and won three games before falling in the conference semifinals and finished third.
The Broncos collected a school-record 34 victories in 2012 after posting their first 30-win season a year earlier. Although Thorpe’s teams finished second both seasons, each squad entered its final conference game within striking distance of a regular-season league title. The Broncos were 30-22 this past spring and entered their final league game with an opportunity to capture a share of the Mountain West Conference regular-season championship.
Boise State also finished the 2012 season No. 57 in the NCAA Ratings Percentage Index, another program-high.
Before joining Boise State, Thorpe served as the head softball coach and senior woman administrator at Whittier College in California from 2002-07. In 2005, the school also named her as its assistant athletics director for compliance.
Thorpe revitalized the Poets’ softball program, turning a team that compiled a 4-33 record prior to her arrival into one that finished 23-17 in her first season at the helm.
During her five-year tenure, Whittier College’s student-athletes earned five All-Southern California Intercollegiate Athletics Conference honors and two NCAA all-region awards. The Poets evolved into a nationally respected Division III program under Thorpe’s tutelage, finishing 28th nationally for team batting average during her final season.
A NCAA All-American herself as a member of UC San Diego’s softball team, she also received all-region accolades all four years as the Tritons’ shortstop. In 1997, the NCAA bestowed all-region tournament honors to Thorpe. Three years later, she was named UCSD’s Female Athlete of the Year.
Thorpe received her bachelor’s degree in economics and management science from UCSD in 2000 while earning her master’s in business administration from Cal Poly Pomona in 2008.
