Former Owl Brown Named Head Softball Coach
GLENDORA - After an extensive search, the Citrus College Athletics Department announced the hiring of former Owl Jessica Brown as the new Head Coach of the Citrus College Softball program. Brown played her freshman season in 2015 for the Owls. She was an All-Western State Conference and All-State selection in her first season, before heading to Cal State San Bernardino for the remaining three years of her career. | ORIGINAL RELEASE
"I would like to thank Superintendent/President Dr. Greg Schulz, Dean of Kinesiology/Athletics Junior Domingo, and the hiring committee for this exciting opportunity," Brown said. "As a Citrus College Alumni, I am honored to be back on this field in a new capacity. Jackie Boxley has done an incredible job building this program."
Brown takes the helm of the Owls after a two-year interim stint by the all-time winningest coach in program history and Assistant Athletic Director Jackie Boxley (353 overall wins). Brown comes to Citrus after spending the last two seasons as a physical education instructor and one year as the head softball coach at San Gabriel High School. Prior to that, Brown spent one successful Spring at Alta Loma High School, leading them to an 11-2 mark before the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the season.
Brown's coaching career kicked off at her alma mater, Cal State San Bernardino, where she was an assistant for two seasons and the co-interim-head coach for a handful of months. As a member of the Coyote staff, Brown was immersed in all things coaching, taking responsibility for recruiting, scheduling, fundraising, and much more.
"As I embrace the role as head coach at Citrus College I will continue its growth, synergy, and camaraderie. There is so much pride ingrained in the culture of Citrus College Athletics and I am overjoyed to begin this journey with our families, alumni, and community," Brown said. "I am eager to meet the team and coach/mentor a group of talented young women who share a passion for the game and personal success."
As a player, Brown was a four-year varsity selection at Alta Loma High School. As a sophomore, junior, and senior, she was named a 1st team All-Baseline honoree. At Citrus, Brown started all 43 games in 2015, batting .415 with 18 home runs, 57 RBIs, and 49 runs scored. Her home run, RBI, and runs totals, all rank Top 3 in single-season Citrus history.
As a member of the Coyotes, Brown continued to leave her mark. As a sophomore, Brown led CSUSB in home runs and RBIs, while being named a California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) All-Academic Choice honoree. As a junior, Brown would go on to be named 1st team All-CCAA, 1st team All-West Region, and a CoSIDA Academic All-West Region honoree. Brown did not disappoint in her senior campaign, as she was named a consensus All-American and an All-West Region and 1st team All-CCAA selection at catcher for the second straight season. She also earned CoSIDA Academic All-District honors for the second straight season and was named the NCAA Ethnic Minority and Women's Enhancement Graduate Scholarship award winner.
"Ms. Brown's enthusiasm for the sport of softball and teaching in the classroom stood out during this entire process," said Dean of Kinesiology and Athletics Junior Domingo. "I am looking forward to watching Ms. Brown continue to grow the softball program as well as be a positive contributor to our kinesiology department as a professor."
Brown becomes the 17th Head Coach of the Citrus College Softball program. Along with her coaching duties, Brown was hired as a tenure-track full-time faculty member of the Citrus College Kinesiology Department starting in the Fall of 2022.
"Ms. Brown's impressive background as a student-athlete, as well as her professional experience as a coach and kinesiology instructor, make her an outstanding addition to our athletics program," said Dr. Greg Schulz, superintendent/president of Citrus College. "It is always rewarding to have a Citrus College alumna join the college, and I look forward to Ms. Brown's contributions to our campus community and to our softball program."
