Brian Kolze has coached more than 1,500 softball games during his three decades as head coach at Pacific. He also has created an indelible imprint with his development of coaches, six of whom are former assistant coaches that moved on to lead programs for other universities.

Many of them took part in a recent virtual celebration that honored Kolze—or “Boss” as he is known—for his 30-year tenure. They were joined by dozens of Kolze’s former players as well as this year’s team and supporters.

“This was an unbelievable gathering with so many people who mean so much to me and to Pacific,” Kolze said. “I feel it is my duty to pay it forward with my coaches and players. I look at myself as a teacher whose classroom is outdoors. These have been 30 years of building great and meaningful relationships.”

Among the notable Kolze protégés is Heather Tarr, head coach at University of Washington who recently was named head coach for the United States Women’s Softball National Team. Tarr will lead Team USA at the 2022 World Games and other international competitions. She was assistant coach of the United States team at last year’s Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
 
"My coaching foundation began at the University of the Pacific under Brian Kolze,” said Tarr, previously an assistant at Pacific for six years. "I am forever grateful for the opportunity he and the student-athletes at Pacific gave me to fall in love with the profession.” 

Gina Carbonatto, an All-America player and assistant coach for Kolze at Pacific, has been head coach at West Coast Conference rival Santa Clara University since 2020. 

A double alumna, she had two stints as an assistant coach at Pacific. Her career batting average was .401 and she is one of only two players to have her number retired by Pacific.

“I would have recruited myself, but I would have hated coaching myself,” Carbonatto said. “But Kolze and some of the older players on the team stayed with me when I was a loud, obnoxious young player. They showed me that you can enjoy yourself, but we have a job to do for the team.”

Cindy Ball-Malone has built a strong program at Central Florida. She has a record of 96-45-2 in three years as head coach, including a berth in the NCAA Tournament in 2021. She was an assistant coach for Kolze from 2002-06.

“I definitely learned (from Kolze) that you can go far with skill and even further with hard work and even further than that taking care of the people around you,” Ball-Malone said.

Other Kolze assistant coaches who currently or formerly led Division I programs are:

•    Kim Kostyk-Sowder (Long Beach State, 2007-present). She has a record of 467-306-1 with the 49ers. She was an assistant coach for two years at Pacific.
•    Kristy Schroeder (UC-Santa Barbara 2002-07) is head coach at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento. She earned her master’s degree in psychology from Pacific.
•    Rachel Miller was an assistant coach for Pacific who later led the Bowling Green and UC-Riverside programs before leaving coaching.

The past two years have been difficult but rewarding for Pacific softball, Kolze said. The Tigers had many scheduling changes and uncertainties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges, Pacific finished with records of 15-10 in 2020 and 14-14-1 in 2021.

The Tigers open the season Feb. 11 at a tournament in Riverside. The first home game at Bill Simoni Field is March 4.

The celebration honoring Kolze included a two-day virtual fundraiser with a goal of raising $30,000 to help pay for new bullpens at Bill Simoni Field. The effort was a success with $33,247 raised. Additional gifts for the project can be made online at joinPAF.org. Designate the gift for softball and reference “30 years.”