USF’s Eriksen Named 2018 WBSC Coach of the Year

The Bulls’ head coach was selected as the World Baseball/Softball Confederation Coach of the Year for 2018


TAMPA, FLA. Jan. 6, 2020 – USF softball and Team USA head coach Ken Eriksen was named the 2018 Coach of the Year by the World Baseball Softball Confederation. The awards were presented at the Gala Dinner that wrapped up the 2019 Congress for the organization.

In summer 2018, Eriksen led Team USA to a 20-0 run. Starting at the inaugural International Cup hosted by USA Softball, Eriksen coached Team USA to a perfect 6-0 run en route to a first-place finish. Team USA Red defeated Japan, 10-5, to win the Cup. 

Later that summer, Eriksen and the Eagles participated at the WBSC World Championships, marking the first opportunity for Team USA to clinch a berth to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. After a perfect 7-0 run in the group phase, Team USA defeated Australia, 3-1, in the champions round and Japan twice, 4-3 in the semifinals and 7-6 in the gold medal game, to take home first place.

With the World Championship, Eriksen’s team earned a spot at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Softball is returning to the Olympiad for the first time since 2008, when Team USA took home a silver medal.

The team closed out 2018 with a trip to the Japan Cup, where again the team took home gold.

Follow along with Eriksen and Team USA as they approach the 2020 Olympics in Tom Zebold’s Road to Tokyo series. The team is currently preparing for its “Stand Beside Her” tour leading up to the summer 2020 games.


About USF Softball
Be sure to follow USF softball on social media (Twitter / Facebook / Instagram) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date informationThe USF softball program has been one of the most successful on campus, making 15 NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the Women’s College World Series in 2012. 

– #GoBulls –