Pierson Announces Staff Changes

Grand Canyon University head softball coach Ann Pierson has announced two changes to her staff for the 2015-16 season. Pierson has hired Christi Musser as an assistant coach and has promoted Kelsey Rodriguez to a full-time assistant coach. Rodriguez served as a graduate assistant last season for the Antelopes.

"I have known Christi for 20 years and she was the player you want to coach and the coach you want to work with. I have been fortunate to have three talented outfield coaches since I have been at GCU and I am so excited to have Christi come in to take over the outfield and slapping responsibilities. Kelsey has already left her mark on the GCU softball program, having just completed her first year as our graduate assistant. As a full-time coach, Kelsey will take over the bullpen and work with the pitchers and catchers."

Musser, a product of Chaparral High School, returns to Phoenix after most recently serving as the state director of FCA in New Mexico—a position she held since October of 2013. After graduating from Chaparral, Musser went on to star at Kansas, where she was an All-American outfielder in 2002 and was a four-time All-Big 12 Conference selection for the Jayhawks. After completing her stellar playing career, Musser was an assistant coach for the Jayhawks from 2003-2010, before joining the staff at New Mexico for a three-year stint in Albuquerque. She graduated from Kansas with a degree in sports management.

"Christi has extensive coaching experience, both at Kansas and New Mexico, and we are very fortunate to have someone with her background to join the GCU softball staff," said Pierson. "Having grown up in Scottsdale, she knows the talented pool of Arizona softball players and has established relationships with the high school and club coaches locally and out of state. Christi is a strong recruiter with an eye for talent, and will continue to identify strong student-athletes to help the program grow."

Rodriguez, a former standout student-athlete at the University of Arizona, became the first softball player in Wildcat history to receive the prestigious Pac-12 Scholar Athlete of the Year award for the sport of softball. The accolade recognizes both academic and athletic achievements and is given to a deserving senior for each of the conference's 22 sponsored sports. During her senior campaign, the Scottsdale, Ariz., native was a First Team All-Pac-12 and First Team Pac-12 All-Academic selection. Rodriguez hit at a blistering .419 clip at the plate, which was the third-best tally in the Pac-12, while leading the league in doubles. In addition to her accomplishments on the field, she also held a 3.92 GPA in the classroom.

"Kelsey had a tremendous playing career, most recently as a member of Team Mexico, graduating from the University of Arizona and finishing her career with various athletic and academic honors," said Pierson. "Having played at the highest level and having worked with top pitchers and coaches, Kelsey's incredible knowledge will help strengthen a young pitching and catching staff. Kelsey has also grown up in the valley and has strong recruiting ties. She is a talented young coach with great passion for the game of softball. Rodriguez graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Psychology."

"I am very excited about both of these young women," added Pierson. "They are such strong role models for our young athletes and will be instrumental in the continued growth of our program."

Grand Canyon University Athletics

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