Arizona Christian University

Before coming to Arizona Christian University, Trisha Thurston served two years as the head softball coach for Glendale Community College in the 2014 and 2015 seasons. She also initiated and served as the sponsor for Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Glendale Community College in 2015.
 
In 2015, the Glendale Gauchos compiled a 23-29 record. Two players were nominated to the All-Conference Teams, and one player was honored with both the Marucci Elite Hitter Award and NFCA All-American. The team maintained the highest GPA on campus and garnered an NJCAA Academic Team of the Year Award with a 3.44 GPA.
 
In 2014, the Glendale Gauchos compiled a 27-30 record finishing third place in the regional tournament. Two players were nominated to the All-Conference Teams and one player was honored as an NJCAA First Team All-American.
 
Prior to the 2014 season, Trisha served 3 years as the assistant coach in charge of the team’s strength and conditioning program.
 
Trisha is a native of Glendale, AZ. She played four years of varsity softball at Ironwood High School and then played for the Gaucho softball program in 2006 and 2007 earning All-Region, All-Conference, and Academic All-American honors.
 
After graduating from Glendale, Trisha went on to play for the West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats finishing 17^th in the country her senior year. She was named to the WVIAC All-Conference teams in 2008 and 2009 and was named as a Division II statistical leader for "Toughest to Strikeout" in 2009. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. in Exercise Science and received her CSCS certification (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) from the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Trisha completed her Master’s in Human Movement and Sport Psychology from A.T. Still University in 2014.
 
In addition to coaching, Trisha has a passion for fitness and wellness. She has trained numerous sports teams including softball, men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, tennis, and women’s soccer. Her goal is to help athletes move as efficiently as possible in order to perform optimally in their sport and prevent injury. She also teaches Introduction to Exercise Physiology at Glendale Community College and Theory and Practice of Coaching Softball at Grand Canyon University.
 
She is honored and excited to be a part of the ACU coaching staff; to promote discipleship and integrity through sport; to enhance student athletes’ lives on and off the field; and to serve God with a humble heart.