Texas Southern: Rodriguez Officially Named Head Softball Coach

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Texas Southern University Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Kevin Granger announced today that Raven Rodriguez has officially been named head softball coach. Rodriguez, who served on an interim basis this past season, becomes the fourth head coach in program history.

“Coach Rodriguez took control of the program at a moment’s notice this past season and did a solid job in guiding the program despite the obstacles she faced both on and off the field due to COVID-19,” said Granger. “She managed the continue to winning tradition that has been set at TSU by capturing a SWAC West Championship. I’m convinced Coach Rodriguez will continue to move the program forward and compete for championships on a yearly basis.”

Rodriguez hit the ground running as she led TSU to its 11^th consecutive SWAC West title while also navigating the challenges of keeping the team competitive and safe through the COVID-19 environment. The Houston native was also named SWAC Co-Head Coach of the Year in 2021 as four student-athletes earned All-SWAC honors headlined by SWAC Pitcher of the Year Naomi Reyes.

“I am excited to serve in this role and continue the winning tradition at TSU,” said Rodriguez. “The expectations and foundation of TSU softball have been set and my job is to elevate the program on a yearly basis. I will continue to recruit student-athletes who understand the culture of TSU softball and develop them into productive student-athletes both on the diamond and inside the classroom.”

Prior to serving as interim coach, Rodriguez spent two seasons as an assistant at Texas Southern. She was a four-year letter winner at UT Tyler and is one of the top performers in program history. She is a former National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American, three-time NFCA All-West Region member, four-time American Southwest All-Conference performer, the 2013 ASC East Freshman of the Year, CoSIDA Academic All-American, and ASC All-Academic Team member. In 2016, Rodriguez joined a very select group of student-athletes as she helped lead UT Tyler to the NCAA Division III Softball National Championship. In 2015, UT Tyler advanced to the finals of the NCAA National Championship while earning trips to the 2013 and 2014 NCAA Tournaments. A former infielder, Rodriguez rewrote the UT Tyler record book as she currently ranks as the top performer in assists, games, played, at-bats, and games started. She also ranks top five in runs scored, hits, doubles, triples, home runs, hit-by-pitch, RBI, sac flies, total bases, sac hits, stolen bases, and double plays turned.