SCIAC CHAMPIONS: 1989, 1990, 1993, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2016, 2017, 2018
SCIAC TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS: 2008, 2010, 2017
NCAA APPEARANCES: 1993, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2017
NCAA WORLD SERIES: 1993
About La Verne Softball
The University of La Verne softball program prides itself on giving student-athletes opportunities to not only continue their fastpitch career in a competitive environment at a collegiate level but obtain a quality education. La Verne has established itself within the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) and the NCAA Division III as a powerhouse.
In its proud history, La Verne has claimed 10 SCIAC championships and three SCIAC Postseason Tournament Championships. The Leopards have also made ten NCAA Regional Tournament appearances and one appearance in the NCAA World Series in 1993.
The program has produced 11 All-Americans, 13 SCIAC Softball Athletes of the Year and countless All-Region and All-SCIAC honorees.
The Leopards have excelled off the field as well. La Verne has placed numerous athletes to the Academic All-SCIAC and has had a total of 14 student-athletes named NFCA Scholar-Athletes in Smith's tenure.
The Leopards continue to advance each year by scheduling tough components regionally and nationally to develop the best opportunities for the NCAA Regional Tournament. Developing a team mentality is an important aspect of our program especially because of the impact it has throughout each player's life. Continuing to uphold the traditions that have been set is a main goal along with maintaining a strong devotion to developing and attracting quality student-athletes. On an individual level players develop a natural instinct for the game through pre-season workouts and practices that build on their pre-existing talents.
Giving back to the community is an important role of the university and it is no different for the softball program. The Leopards are actively involved in numerous community service projects, including holding clinics for Pomona Valley Special Olympics and supporting Ronald McDonald Houses.
La Verne Softball Philosophy
Under Head Coach Julie Smith, the University of La Verne Leopard Softball strives to create a positive and thriving environment where student-athletes are accountable not only to themselves but to the team mission as well as the University's mission.
The 5 C’s of Accountability:
- Character – Shares the core values of the team
- Competent – Mental/Physical ability to get the job done
- Consistent – Every play, every at bat, every day be your best
- Committed – Without question fully invested in ULV Softball
- Cohesive – Team first mentality
Academic Values
We are always looking for an initiative driven, competitors in the classroom, as well as on the ball field. We strive for a 3.5 GPA or higher. Each year we average six to nine players that make ULV Scholar-Athlete Award, SCIAC Academic All-Conference honors, as well as NCAA Academic All-America Honors. Academic and athletic achievement for our student-athletes is very prevalent and very doable if you put your mind to it and work hard.
Community Service
Our university and our softball program are committed to community engagement. We work closely with the Special Olympics in the Fall, as the Pomona Valley Team utilizes our field. Our players have the opportunity to work closely with this incredible group of people! It is a win-win for all. We have also hosted Playing for Heroes in recent years to honor those military servicemen and women who keep us safe worldwide.
“The Way We Do Things Here”
- Leave the world a little bit better than how you found it.
- Vision – our biggest athletic goal has everything to do with the path of mastery, and nothing to do with the markers along that path like wins, losses, and other statistics. Wins are a by-product of success, which is the peace of mind that comes from knowing you gave your best effort (John Wooden). It is a privilege to get to pursue mastery in a sport that you find fun.
- Vision - it takes excellence, enthusiasm, forgiveness, and teamwork to approach our potential and maximize our chances at some fun path markers.
- Lead by example. Bench the ego and give your best effort now. No whining. No complaining. No excuses.
- Connect with empathy: don’t get mad, get curious!
- It takes courage – the strength of will to do what’s difficult – to get rid of both complacency and a person’s safety net. It takes courage to give your best effort right now. It takes courage to understand that your best effort is always good enough.
- Good values attract good people and good people make you better.
- Little things make the big things happen.
- Greatness and success are attainable by all. People are inherently good and full of potential. Also, everyone has a story.
- The carrot is mightier than the stick and half full is greater than half empty.
- Adversity is good for you as long as you literally survive. Patience and Faith hold it all together.
- Strive for perfection, but never expect it.