LARISSA ANDERSON PROMOTED TO HOFSTRA HEAD SOFTBALL COACH
Rob Washburn
Hempstead, NY - Larissa Anderson has been promoted to the position of head softball coach following Bill Edwards’ retirement, Hofstra University Vice President and Director of Athletics Jeffrey A. Hathaway announced today.
“Larissa Anderson has been associated with our softball program during the most successful period in our program’s history,” commented Hathaway.” I am confident she will continue the tremendous success that the Hofstra Softball program has achieved under Coach Edwards. Larissa has a great ability to teach, coach and recruit high-quality student-athletes, who represent Hofstra University well in the classroom, on the field and in the community. Coach Edwards afforded her the opportunity to be part of every aspect of this program in addition to having been a significant factor in the recruiting of our past, current and incoming class of student-athletes. I look forward to watching her head coaching career develop and we wish Larissa many years of success here at Hofstra. She is the best prepared and equipped person to take over this program.”
Anderson spent the previous 13 seasons on the Hofstra staff as an assistant, including the last 10 as the associate head coach. She is just the sixth head coach in program history since 1980 and will take over for Edwards, who helmed the program from 1990 through 2014.
“Hofstra has been my heart and soul and my family for the past 16 years,” Anderson said. “I am honored to have the opportunity to work with wonderful student-athletes and continue the tradition and legacy that Bill Edwards has built. I am so thankful that Jeff Hathaway has given me this chance and for the guidance Bill has given to me, and I will do my best to make a positive impact on the Hofstra Softball student-athletes.”
“I could not have worked for a better coach and person than Bill Edwards,” Anderson continued. “He has mentored me on and off the field and most importantly has taught me lifetime lessons. He is one of the greatest coaches in this game. I can’t even begin to put into words what Bill has done for all of us; our alumni, their families, our current team, and the sport of softball.”
Anderson has helped lead Hofstra to 10 NCAA Tournament appearances and 10 Colonial Athletic Association championships during her tenure. As the team’s associate head coach, she has helped Hofstra win 22 NCAA Tournament games including eight in the past three seasons, and make six appearances in the regional finals.
Under Anderson’s tutelage, Hofstra hurlers have won seven of the last eight CAA Pitcher of the Year awards, including four consecutive wins by Olivia Galati from 2010 to 2013 and three from Kayleigh Lotti from 2007 to 2009. Galati was twice named an All-America by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) and was the program’s first-ever first-team pick in 2012 after leading Division I with a 0.95 ERA and a 34-7 record. Anderson would help guide Galati to a NCAA-best 40 wins and 22 shutouts in 2013.
Working closely with Edwards in all facets of the program, including recruiting, training and game-day preparation, Anderson has helped Hofstra post a 504-216-1 record (.700 winning percentage) since arriving on campus. She has been a part of a staff that has won seven NFCA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year Awards.
One of the hallmarks of the Hofstra Softball program during Anderson's tenure has been the Pride's stellar defense. From 2008-13, Hofstra regularly ranked among the nation's elite in fielding percentage as the Pride was among the top 20 in the nation in five of those seasons. The Pride reached the pinnacle in that category in 2011 as Hofstra ranked first in all of Division I in fielding percentage. Hofstra was also fourth in 2008 and 2010, and 16th in 2012 and 2013.
Anderson is also a frequent speaker at camps and clinics around the country. At the 2011 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Convention, Anderson and Bill Edwards were featured speakers and presented: "Defensive Strategy: Is Your Team Really As Prepared As You Think?" The national convention included more than 1,300 participants (mostly coaches) from youth levels, high school, travel teams and NCAA Division I, II, III and NAIA institutions. Anderson also spoke at the 2013 NFCA Convention, focusing on the defensive team system.
Prior to coming to Hofstra, Anderson served as an assistant coach for two seasons at LIU Post, where she helped the Pioneers to a combined 75-33 record, including a school record 42 wins during the 2000 season. She assisted in all facets of the program at LIU Post and was in charge of coaching the pitchers and catchers. Her efforts helped the Pioneers to the 13th best team earned run average in Division II (1.11) in 2001. She was also part of a C.W. Post staff that received the Northeast Region Division II Coaching Staff of the Year award from the NFCA in 2000.
Anderson also served one season as an assistant coach at Gannon University in 1998, after being named a regional All-American outfielder in 1997. She graduated from Gannon in 1997 with a bachelor's of science degree in therapeutic recreation.
Anderson is married to former Hofstra Baseball Coach Patrick Anderson, who now manages the Class A Hagerstown (MD) Suns in the Washington Nationals organization.