By Richard Burrud | Staff Writer |
Alyssa Flores is now on the other side of the fence as she is now an assistant coach to the Coyote Women’s Softball Team after being part of the team for the past five years.
Flores is a Fontana native and a former walk-on to the Coyote team, “Not only did I have to prove myself to be on the team, I also had to earn my position as well as scholarship money,” said Flores.
Earning a scholarship after her freshmen year, she proceeded by earning her honors at third base.
Flores reflects on being a student athlete as well as the difficulties she has experienced.
“Being a student athlete is rough because you are constantly busy and have to have a good balance in order to be successful. You also are in the peoples eye and represent yourself as well as the team and always have do so in a positive matter,” said Flores.
In her sophomore season, the team reached milestones that no other CSUSB softball team had ever experienced before.
The team played in the Hawaii regional, being the underdog the prevailed by winning.
After winning the Regional, the Coyotes took a tough loss to their rival team, UCSD for the Super Regional title.
Captain Flores made the most of her senior season.
Batting an outrageous .405 earned her All-CCAA Third Basemen Honors.
She is also adding to her postseason resumé by being named second-team honors to both Daktonics and National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-West region squads.
Flores completed her career with top 10 ranks in batting average, runs batted in (RBI), walks and home-runs.
Completing her college career with a degree in Kinesiology, Flores sought to find a career out in the working world and while searching, landed in an all too familiar place at CSUSB.
Additionally, Flores works as a Physical Education teacher at New Vision Middle School in San Bernardino.
Head Coach, Tacy Duncan does not normally bring back athletes that just finished their collegiate career, but has welcomed Flores because of her leadership characteristics, knowledge of the program, and experience with the team.
Flores relates to problems the players have and helps them overcome.
With the assistant coach position, it is not hard for Flores to adjust to her new job title.
“It is not awkward coaching girls that I have played with because they have the same respect for me as they did as last year when I was captain,” said Flores.
Flores sees a positive outlook for the team this upcoming season.
“This year we have a great group of girls who are willing to work hard. I think we will be the type of team that will get things done and a strong pitching staff will help us make it to the post season,” said Flores.
Flores ends by discussing about her dreams and aspirations, and explains how grateful she is for the new job title.
“My dream job is to be a Psychologist/Athletic Director, but I would not count out being a head coach at the collegiate level.”
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