Gary Torgeson (1994) - CSUN Athletics Hall of Fame

Gary Torgeson

Induction:
1994
Class:
1965

Gary Torgeson was inducted into the CSUN Athletics Hall of Fame in 1994. Torgeson was a legendary softball and football coach who led the Matador Softball team to four NCAA Division II National Championships. Torgeson_Gary_Headshot

Over a historic 13-season softball tenure, which ran from 1982 to 1994, he compiled an extraordinary 636-216-8 record and pioneered the expansion of women's sports on campus. His impressive .744 winning percentage ranked 17th highest in NCAA history upon his retirement. Torgeson also served as CSUN's head football coach in the 1970s.

Torgeson's association with CSUN stretched over 30 years, as he earned his degree from San Fernando Valley State College in 1965. He then spent the next 16 years with the Matador football program, serving as head coach from 1973-76.

As CSUN's head softball coach, Torgeson directed the Matadors to an NCAA Division II record four titles, winning championships in 1983, 1984, 1985, and 1987. His squads also finished as runners-up three times (1994) and in third place in 1988. His Division I teams qualified for NCAA postseason play in 1992, 1993, and 1994, advancing to the College World Series in his last two seasons. CSUN finished as runner-up at the 1994 NCAA Division I Women's College World Series.

Aside from CSUN's success nationally, Torgeson also secured 11 conference championships during his 13 seasons at the helm.

Torgeson, who graduated from CSUN in 1965, moved from Northridge in August of 1994 to assume an administrative position with Sacramento City College. He passed away on March 21, 2020, at the age of 78.