Academy of Art University Athletics

A three-year standout at Santa Clara, Rachel Sherman enters her fourth season as head coach of the Urban Knights softball team.

In 2011, Sherman helped guide Academy of Art University to a 29-20 overall record and a 17-11 Pacific West Conference record which led the Knights to their best finish in league thus far (4th). As a team that year, ART U players captured 23 PacWest Weekly Top 10 Honor Roll selections along with four post-season honors. One Urban Knight also earned a 2011 All-Region Second Team honor.

Sherman's 2010 ART U squad boasted an impressive 29-23-1 overall record and their 18-14 PacWest record earned them a 5th place finish in the conference standings. The team featured 23 PacWest Weekly Top 10 Honor Roll selections (including two Pitcher of the Week honors) as well as five post-season awards. Two Urban Knights each earned 2010 All-PacWest First Team and 2010 All-Region Second Team selections to cap that season’s success.

In her first season with Academy of Art, Sherman began to build the softball program and the team steadily improved as the year progressed. ART U defeated 2008 National Champion Humboldt State to highlight its campaign and finished strong by winning five of its last seven games. 

Sherman spent four years as an assistant coach at UC Davis prior to joining Academy of Art University. 

In 2006, Sherman was invited to play for the Israeli National Team. Although the team did not get a chance to compete, Sherman was honored to have the opportunity to represent her heritage. 

As a senior in 2004, Sherman captured first-team All-Pacific Coast Softball Conference honors while leading the league with a .448 average. She helped lead SCU to a second straight 30-win season and the conference title that season. Sherman also was selected as her team's Offensive Player of the Year as a sophomore while tying the single season home run record. 

Before joining the Broncos, Sherman led West Valley Junior College to a 39-4 record. She was a Second Team Easton All-American, while also being named a NFCA All-American. Sherman also received the Diamond Sports Catcher of the Year award. Sherman was named to the All-Conference, All-NorCal and All-State teams her freshman season in 2001. She batted .474 with 10 homers and led all California two-year colleges with 59 RBIs. 

Originally from Wilcox High School in Santa Clara, Sherman graduated with a bachelor's degree in Studio Art in 2004. She received her master's degree in Health, P.E. and Recreation from Saint Mary's in 2007.

Head Coach, ART U
2009 - present