SAN FRANCISCO – Academy of Art University director of athletics Brad Jones has announced the hiring of Alex Gomez as its new head coach for softball. Gomez, a contributing member of University of Hawaii at Manoa's 2010 NCAA Women's College World Series team, brings an education-focused background that includes five years of experience coaching Vacaville Christian High School to multiple league titles and a collection of individual accolades.

"We are excited to have Alex join our staff as our next head softball coach," said Jones. "We feel that her enthusiasm, coupled with her experiences as a coach and as a student-athlete, will help to continue the success of our softball program."

Having most recently completed her fifth season with Vacaville Christian High School, Gomez carries a 72-33 all-time record with the Falcons that includes three separate years (2015, 2016, 2018) in which the team went 12-0 in the Sierra Delta League to take the title. Gomez would earn SDL Coach of the Year those three seasons, coaching more than 15 players to SDL All-League honors along the way. Always emphasizing the educational aspect, 80 percent or higher of her teams would be selected to the SDL All-Academic Team as well.

"I am so thankful that Academy of Art felt my passion and knew that my experiences would equip me to fill this role," said Gomez. "Everything I have been working towards has led to this moment and I could not be more ready to take on this endeavor. Additionally, the staff, the team, and the school have all been over-the-top welcoming and I am so appreciative to be a part of the Urban Knight family. I could tell the minute I joined the program that this place was something special, and it feels awesome to be embarking on this journey."

In addition to her coaching duties, Gomez has served as a full-time teacher at Vacaville Christian, covering classes such as AP English Language & Composition, Speech & Communications, and History. She joined the faculty in 2013 after time spent as a tutor and mentor in Hawai's Nagatani Academic Center.

An accomplished softball student-athlete in her own right, Gomez was a four-time NFCA and Western Athletic Conference Scholar-Athlete, three-time WAC All-Conference Team recipient, and member of Hawaii's NCAA Women's College World Series in 2010 (she homered in the first two games of the series). She would earn her bachelor's degree in English as well as a minor certificate in Peace & Conflict Resolution from the University of Hawaii in 2011 then a post-baccalaureate certificate in Secondary Education in 2012. Earlier this year, she added a master's degree in Higher Education Leadership & Policy Studies from Sacramento State.

"I want to continue to uphold the standard of winning that this softball program has displayed over the last few years," said Gomez. "Lucky for me, these returners know how to be successful and the freshmen are expecting it. I want to perfect and sharpen their skills as players, but most importantly, I want to maintain the tradition of winning. I have so many amazing young women who are not just good at playing softball or talented in the arts, they are genuinely good people. I want to achieve a climate where each individual can thrive both on and off the field, representing ART U in the best way possible."

Gomez resides in Vacaville with her husband, Mike, and their three children, Penelope, Dominic, and Theodore. She will begin in her role with Academy of Art softball on Sept. 19.