Wednesday, January 8, 1997
SOFTBALL:
Backus will leave UCLA with most college wins everBy Vytas
Mazeika
Daily Bruin Contributor
Sharron Backus, a fixture in the UCLA softball program for 21
years, decided to retire on Monday.
Backus, the winningest coach in college softball history, will
be reassigned within the UCLA athletic department and will
effectively retire at the end of the academic year.
"The decision to be reassigned prior to my retirement is to
allow the UCLA softball program a time of transition while I’m
still associated with the university," Backus said in a press
release.
Sue Enquist, who has been co-head coach with Backus since 1989
and was the 1992 NCAA National Coach of the Year, will be taking
over all coaching responsibility for the 1997 season.
Deciding to retire was not easy for Backus, who referred to both
family problems and stress as factors for the announcement, which
came just three weeks shy of the opening of the season.
"My primary reason for stepping down has to do with the illness
and death of my mother in early October," Backus said. "That, plus
the ongoing NCAA probe of the softball program (the NCAA is
currently investigating a possible violation regarding scholarship
infractions) have created a level of stress that I feel is best to
put behind me at this time."
Her career comes to an end with more wins than any coach in
history (847) and a winning percentage of .835 (847-167-3). Other
achievements include nine national championships (8 NCAA crowns)
and three straight from 1988 to 1990.
Most recently, the Bruins won the College World Series in 1995
and the 1996 Olympic Games featured seven ex-Bruins, including Dot
Richardson and Lisa Fernandez, who helped lead the U.S. to the gold
medal.
"Sharron has certainly made her mark in UCLA’s heritage during
her outstanding career," Athletic Director Peter Dalis said in the
press release. "One needs only look at the accomplishments of her
former players to realize her impact on the sport of softball."
"(Retiring) is something I’ve been thinking about for quite a
while," Backus said. "I’ve had a great career at UCLA, but it’s
time for a change."
Backus and Enquist could not be reached for further comment, and
various members of the softball team declined to comment.
Daily Bruin File Photo
UCLA women’s softball head coach Sharron Backus retired Monday
after 21 years of service.