SUU SB - Kyle Magnusson Named Head Coach of SUU Softball Add Comment    Jun 01, 2010

CEDAR CITY, Utah - June 1 - Southern Utah University athletic director Ken Beazer announced the hiring of Kyle Magnusson as the new head coach of SUU softball today.  Magnusson is the ninth head coach in the history of the softball program.

"We are thrilled to have a coach with as much knowledge and experience that Kyle will bring to the table," Beazer said.  "He is a coach and a player that is very well respected in the softball world both regionally and nationally."

Magnusson comes to Cedar City after stops at the University of Utah, Salt Lake Community College and Hunter High School (West Valley).  Most notably, Magnusson has been a member of the U.S. National fast-pitch team, playing in international tournaments from 2000-2009.

In his two seasons at the University of Utah, Magnusson served as an assistant coach and co-head coach, leading the Utes to a Mountain West tournament championship in 2006.  Utah went on to advance to the finals at the NCAA Regionals, but fell to Texas in the championship game.

At Salt Lake Community College, Magnusson laid the ground work of the Bruins' first appearance at the NJCAA World Series in 2003.

Magnusson began his coaching career with Hunter High School, turning around a program and leading the Wolverines to three consecutive second-place region finishes.  HHS also recorded its best finish at the state tournament under Magnusson, finishing fifth in 2003.

He originally was drawn to Utah to join the prestigious Larry Miller Toyota fast-pitch team in 1994.  The team finished second in the ISC in 1995 while Magnusson earned several individual accolades, including three-time ISC all-World team and five-time ASA Major All-American.

Magnusson recently retired from the U.S. National team where he helped his teams to a gold-medal finish in 2002 in Guatemala, a silver-medal finish at the Pan-Am Games in 2003 and a bronze-medal finish in South Africa in 2000.  He has also helped his club fast-pitch teams to three ASA National Championships, including titles in 2003, 2005 and 2006.

Magnusson graduated from Olivet Nazarene in 1993 with a degree in business administration.

"I'm very excited for the chance to coach at Southern Utah University," Magnusson said.  "It will be a great opportunity to return the team to the top of the conference and win Summit League titles and help the team back to the NCAA postseason."

-Utah College Sports News staff and wire reports

Article written by

Utah College Sports Wire