
CSUN is Saddended To Announce The Loss Of Former Coach Gary Torgeson
3/22/2020 8:45:00 AM | Softball
NORTHRIDGE, Calif.—The CSUN athletic department is saddened to announce the passing of former Matador head softball coach Gary Torgeson on Saturday, Mar. 21 at the age of 78.
Torgeson began his affiliation with the CSUN program as a football player, becoming the first four-year letter winner as an offensive lineman. He became the head coach of the football program at the age of 31 and served as head coach from 1973-76. After also serving as an assistant football coach, Torgeson took over the CSUN softball program in 1982.
Torgeson led the Matador softball program to nine consecutive CCAA championships from 1982-90. CSUN won four NCAA Division II National Championships during that time, and never finished worse than third during the span. Torgeson guided the Matadors to the Division I level in 1991, winning 34 games.
In only its second-year at the Division I level, Torgeson's Matadors made the Division I national tournament for the first time in 1992. Joining the Western Athletic Conference in time for the 1993 season, the Matadors won the WAC title, a regional title, and advanced to the 1993 Women's College World Series, going 1-2.
In his final season as head coach, Torgeson mentored his team through the devastating 1994 Northridge earthquake. The Matadors would once again win the WAC championship and a regional title before returning to the Women's College World Series. After winning their first two games, CSUN dropped a 3-2 decision to Oklahoma State in 15 innings before coming back later that same day to defeat the Cowgirls 4-2 to make to the finals against Arizona. The Wildcats would defeat the Matadors 4-0 in the championship game.
Torgeson departed the program with a 636-216-8 record at the conclusion of the 1994 campaign to become a dean at Sacramento City College. Torgeson's players earned 24 All-American honors, 44 were selected All-Region, and 61 were named All-Conference.
Torgeson was inducted into the CSUN Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994 and would be inducted into the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2008. Upon his induction into the NFCA Hall of Fame, his .744 winning percentage was the 17th-best in NCAA history.
Torgeson is survived by his wife, Debbie, two children, his sister, and seven grandchildren.
~UniteTheValley~
Torgeson began his affiliation with the CSUN program as a football player, becoming the first four-year letter winner as an offensive lineman. He became the head coach of the football program at the age of 31 and served as head coach from 1973-76. After also serving as an assistant football coach, Torgeson took over the CSUN softball program in 1982.
Torgeson led the Matador softball program to nine consecutive CCAA championships from 1982-90. CSUN won four NCAA Division II National Championships during that time, and never finished worse than third during the span. Torgeson guided the Matadors to the Division I level in 1991, winning 34 games.
In only its second-year at the Division I level, Torgeson's Matadors made the Division I national tournament for the first time in 1992. Joining the Western Athletic Conference in time for the 1993 season, the Matadors won the WAC title, a regional title, and advanced to the 1993 Women's College World Series, going 1-2.
In his final season as head coach, Torgeson mentored his team through the devastating 1994 Northridge earthquake. The Matadors would once again win the WAC championship and a regional title before returning to the Women's College World Series. After winning their first two games, CSUN dropped a 3-2 decision to Oklahoma State in 15 innings before coming back later that same day to defeat the Cowgirls 4-2 to make to the finals against Arizona. The Wildcats would defeat the Matadors 4-0 in the championship game.
Torgeson departed the program with a 636-216-8 record at the conclusion of the 1994 campaign to become a dean at Sacramento City College. Torgeson's players earned 24 All-American honors, 44 were selected All-Region, and 61 were named All-Conference.
Torgeson was inducted into the CSUN Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994 and would be inducted into the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2008. Upon his induction into the NFCA Hall of Fame, his .744 winning percentage was the 17th-best in NCAA history.
Torgeson is survived by his wife, Debbie, two children, his sister, and seven grandchildren.
~UniteTheValley~
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