by Jody P. Bethel
Staff Writer
The women’s softball team acquired a self-motivated sports enthusiast when it hired Lisa Scott as assistant softball coach this year.
Born and raised in Hawaii, Scott left home after 18 years to go to Whittier College, and currently still resides in Whittier.
In 1993, she graduated with a Physical Education degree and later became the women’s assistant softball coach at Whittier College.
Scott has played softball since she was 9 years old.
The bat and ball are not the only tools that Scott has mastered. She says she has also acquired interpersonal skills such as being outgoing, fun, but yet still self motivated.
According to Scott, she has always been self determined, and that it was not until she moved away from home and became closer to her parents that she realized she may have been influenced with this character trait, from her mother who possesses the same outgoing personality.
When asked about why she chose Scott to be her new assistant coach, head coach Julie Kline said, “There are several things. She is a good person and very knowledgeable about softball. She is going to help as far as providing balance for the players.”
Kline described Scott, saying she is “honest, genuine and has a strong work ethic.”
The sport, to Scott, is one that is “individually self-improving, with the ability to work on skills at one’s own rate.”
“The University of La Verne’s sports program offers a great intensity level and dedication level, and a lot more support than other Universities,” said Scott.
Until a full time position opens up for Scott, she keeps herself busy by working three jobs.
In the morning hours, she works as a high school substitute teacher in the Fullerton School District, teaching everything from “French, Spanish to P.E. You name it,” said Scott.
In the afternoons, her hours are spent at ULV’s softball field where she is the new women’s assistant softball coach. In her evenings she works in a Santa Fe Springs recreational department, giving hitting lessons and supervising the batting cages.
As well as softball, Scott enjoys volleyball and basketball and supports college sports programs in general.
“She gets along well with all the girls, and knows what she is talking about,” said junior Liz Lomeli, third baseman.
According to Scott, she enjoys working with the women because of “their determination, and intensity and ability to work.”
On the outlook of the season Scott said, ” we need to realize the talent that we have and perform at the level we know we can more consistently.”
With some of the players being new this year, many of the players said that Scott made everyone feel comfortable.
“We could identify with her, because she was also new,” said junior Teresa Garcia, outfielder.
Looking out into the softball field, as her girls warmed up at the start of practice, she realized that she enjoys her players this year.
“They are a great group of girls, and nothing bad has happened yet, to make me think differently,” said Scott.
Looking into the future, Scott still sees softball very much part of her life. She hopes to one day have a softball program of her own and be a full time teacher, “Get married, have children and raise a family – the usual,” said Scott with a laugh.
The first game is today at Redlands at 2 p.m.
Jody P. Bethel
