CSUN Softball Honors Former Head Coach Gary Torgeson

Gallery: (4-27-2022) Gary Torgeson Ceremony

On Apr. 23, 2022, the CSUN Softball team honored former head coach Gary Torgeson before the start of the Matadors' game against UC Riverside.

The second head coach in program history, Coach Torgeson led the Matadors to 11 conference championships in 13 seasons and compiled a 636-216-8 record. His .744 winning percentage upon his departure was the 17th-best in NCAA history. In addition, coach Torgeson led the Matadors to four NCAA Division II National Championships (1983-85, 87). Taking the team to the Division I level, CSUN made the NCAA Tournament in its second season and, by year three, the Women's College World Series.

In his final season, 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 it to the finals against Arizona, where the Wildcats would defeat the Matadors 4-0 in the championship game.

During his tenure, Torgeson coached 21 All-Americans, 44 All-Region selections, and 61 players who were chosen All-Conference. A member of the 1994 CSUN Athletic Hall of Fame class, Torgeson was inducted into the NFCA Hall of Fame in 2008.

Present for the pre-game ceremony was

His wife, Debbie
Daughter Tracy and her husband, Carlos Camargo, and their children, Bella, Vanessa, Kaydee, and Aslyn
Son, John, wife Shannon, and their children, Shaun, Kirsten, Lauren, and granddaughter, Taylor Cook.

Fans turned their attention to left field, where for the first time, CSUN softball honored Coach Torgeson with a banner honoring his coaching legacy here at CSUN. With his family in the pitching circle, Mrs. Torgeson turned the ball over to her granddaughter Bella who threw out the first pitch.

Torgeson briefly

13 seasons as head coach, 636-216-8, .744 winning percentage
17th best winning percentage in NCAA history upon his retirement
4 NCAA Division II National Championships (1983-85, 87)
1994 NCAA Division I National Runner-Up
11 Conference Championships (in the 11 years in which the team was in a conference)
21 All-Americans
44 All-Region
61 All-Conference
A member of the 2008 NFCA Hall of Fame Class

~#UniteTheValley~

California State University Northridge Athletics

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