Monday, May 22, 2017

LACEY, Wash. – Saint Martin's Director of Athletics Bob Grisham has announced that assistant coach Jim Peterson has been named the Saints' interim softball head coach.
 
"Jim is going to step into the position as the interim head softball coach," said Grisham. "He brings with him a tremendous amount of experience as an assistant coach at a variety of levels, and has earned the opportunity to take on this head coaching position."
 
Peterson was an assistant coach this previous season that saw Saint Martin's finish with a 25-19 overall record and 15-11 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. The Saints finished third in a very competitive conference and reached the GNAC Championships before being knocked out by the eventual winner Western Washington.
 
"After the 2017 third place finish, we have a core group of returning players and hope to use their experience to improve our standing in the conference," said Peterson.
 
Before the previous season, Peterson was an assistant coach for Central Washington University for one season. Peterson will also draw on his experience with the Canadian Women's Olympic Softball team. During his tenure, the Canadians played in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and earned Silver medals in the 2006 and 2009 Canada Cups. They also notched three bronze finishes from 2006 to 2009 in the World Cup of Softball. They also competed at the 2007 Pan American in Rio De Janeiro with a silver medal.
 
"After two season coaching in the GNAC, there's a familiarity with the players and schools to help the coaching transition be smooth," Peterson said. "I will also incorporate my former international and college experience into my coaching philosophy."
 
"We will have Jim as interim head coach for the 2017-18 season and will evaluate the year as it progresses to determine making a final decision on his status," said Grisham.
 
"I would like to thank the administration for the opportunity of being named the interim softball coach for the upcoming season," Peterson said. "We have a great group of returning players and I look forward to start of the season."