Sharon Backus
Encyclopedia
Sharron Backus is a former softball
player and coach. She played as a shortstop and third baseman on seven Amateur Softball Association
national championship teams from 1961 to 1975. She served as the head softball coach at UCLA from 1975 to 1997 and led her teams to nine national collegiate softball championships. At the time of her retirement in 1997, she was the winningest college softball coach in the history of the sport Backus has been inducted into both the National Softball Hall of Fame
and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame
.
("ASA") from 1961 to 1975. She played on seven ASA championship teams, including the 1961 national championship with the Whittier Gold Sox and five national championships with the Raybestos Brakettes
between 1971 and 1975. She also played on two teams that won international crowns. Backus was a second-team All-American in 1961 with the Gold Sox and a first-team All-American in 1964 and 1966 with the Orange, California
Lionettes.
to nine national championships.
Backus was hired as a part-time coach by Judith Holland, UCLA senior associate athletic director. Holland recalled, "I had seen her play, and she was probably one of the best shortstops who ever played the game." Backus was a physical education teacher at a high school in Anaheim, California
when she was hired by UCLA and kept her teaching job for the first couple years after being hired at UCLA. Backus taught in Anaheim in the mornings and drove to UCLA for practice and games in the afternoon. Holland recalled that UCLA paid Backus about $1,500 year as a part-time coach, "and I don't think the money even paid for her gas."
In Backus's first three years at UCLA, the team struggled. Between 1975 and 1977, UCLA compiled a record of 44-20. In the formative years of the program, the Bruins played at city parks, where they were "often bumped from fields by recreational softball leagues." Backus moved her team to the UCLA intramural field, but it was not until 1980 that her team got its own field.
In 1978, the Bruins won their first national softball championship with a 31-3 record. After women's softball became an NCAA sport in 1982, Backus's teams won six of the first nine NCAA softball tournaments. In all, Backus led UCLA to eight NCAA tournament championships (in addition to the 1978 pre-NCAA championship) in 1982 (33-7-2), 1984 (45-6-1), 1985 (41-9), 1988 (53-8), 1989 (48-4), 1990 (62-7), 1992 (54-2), and 1995 (50-6).
From 1988 to 1990, the Bruins won three consecutive NCAA championships and compiled a record of 163-19. Backus's success led the Los Angeles Times
in 1990 to compare Backus to UCLA's legendary basketball coach John Wooden
:
Commenting on the pressure and anxiety fostered by success, Backus noted, "John Wooden once said that he wished one national championship to his best friends, but four to his enemies."
In December 1995, the UCLA women's softball program was placed on probation after an investigation revealed that UCLA had awarded more scholarships than were permitted under UCLA rules. The Fresno Bee
wrote that the penalties "bring shame to college softball and added, "The image of UCLA's softball program won't ever be the same. The Bruins got caught. ... For two seasons, they went over the scholarship limit, the equivalent of cheating on taxes. Now they must pay."
Amid an NCAA probe prompted by a Los Angeles Times investigation into UCLA pitcher Tanya Harding, Backus announced her retirement in January 1997 after 21 years as the team's head coach. Backus compiled a record of 847 wins, 167 losses and 3 ties at UCLA. At the time of her retirement, she was "the winningest college softball coach" in the history of the sport. Backus told the press when she retired, "I've had a great career at UCLA, but it's time for a change. My primary reason for stepping down has to do with the illness and death of my mother in early October. That, plus the ongoing NCAA probe of the softball program have created a level of stress that I feel is best to put behind me at this time."
Backus coached 29 All-Americans and numerous top players at UCLA, including Dot Richardson
, Lisa Fernandez
(the first softball player to win the Honda-Broderick Cup
as the top female collegiate athlete), Sheila Cornell-Douty
, Kerry Dienelt
, Debbie Doom
, Jennifer Brundage
, Tanya Harding
, Sue Enquist
, Lisa Longaker (three-time All-American), Samantha Ford, Tiffany Boyd, Lorraine Maynez, DeeDee Weiman, Yvonne Gutierrez, Heather Compton, Tracy Compton, Shanna Flynn, Shelly Montgomery, Missy Phillips, Leslie Rover, Monica Tourville, Lisa Richardson, Jan Jeffers, Karen Andrews
, Tricia Mang, Alleah Poulson and Jancie Park.
league. WPF league director Rayla Allison said at the time, "With Sharron, we've stepped up the level of professionalism and improved our marketability. Her name will be a big drawing card for fans, players and coaches." Backus noted that her goals were to attract youngsters to the game and to bolster the league so that it might reach the status of the Women's National Basketball Association
.
's National Softball Hall of Fame
in 1985, and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame
in 1991. She has also been inducted into the Women's Sports Foundation Hall of Fame.
Softball
Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
player and coach. She played as a shortstop and third baseman on seven Amateur Softball Association
Amateur Softball Association
The Amateur Softball Association is a volunteer, non-profit organization based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It was founded in 1933 with a tournament held in Chicago that was organized by Leo Fischer and Michael J. Pauley. The following year the 1934 National Recreation Congress recognized the ASA. ...
national championship teams from 1961 to 1975. She served as the head softball coach at UCLA from 1975 to 1997 and led her teams to nine national collegiate softball championships. At the time of her retirement in 1997, she was the winningest college softball coach in the history of the sport Backus has been inducted into both the National Softball Hall of Fame
National Softball Hall of Fame
National Softball Hall of Fame and Museum is a softball museum located in Oklahoma City's Adventure District. It includes the "Don E. Porter" Hall of Fame Stadium, home to the World Cup of Softball and the annual Women's College World Series...
and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame
National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame
The National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame was established in 1991 to recognize coaches who have made extraordinary contributions to the sport of softpitch softball. The National Fastpitch Coaches Association is a professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches from all...
.
Softball player
Backus attended Cal State Fullerton and played for 15 years as a shortstop and third baseman in the Amateur Softball AssociationAmateur Softball Association
The Amateur Softball Association is a volunteer, non-profit organization based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It was founded in 1933 with a tournament held in Chicago that was organized by Leo Fischer and Michael J. Pauley. The following year the 1934 National Recreation Congress recognized the ASA. ...
("ASA") from 1961 to 1975. She played on seven ASA championship teams, including the 1961 national championship with the Whittier Gold Sox and five national championships with the Raybestos Brakettes
Connecticut Brakettes
The Connecticut Brakettes is a women's fastpitch softball team based in Stratford, Connecticut. The team has won many state, regional, national, and international tournaments .- History :...
between 1971 and 1975. She also played on two teams that won international crowns. Backus was a second-team All-American in 1961 with the Gold Sox and a first-team All-American in 1964 and 1966 with the Orange, California
Orange, California
Southern California is well-known for year-round pleasant weather: - On average, the warmest month is August. - The highest recorded temperature was in 1985. - On average, the coolest month is December. - The lowest recorded temperature was in 1950...
Lionettes.
UCLA
Backus began her coaching career at UCLA in 1975. She was the head softball coach at UCLA for 23 years from 1975 to 1997 and led the BruinsUCLA Bruins
The UCLA Bruins are the sports teams for University of California, Los Angeles . The Bruin men's and women's teams participate in NCAA Division I as part of the Pacific-12 Conference and the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation . For football, they are in the Football Bowl Subdivision of Division I...
to nine national championships.
Backus was hired as a part-time coach by Judith Holland, UCLA senior associate athletic director. Holland recalled, "I had seen her play, and she was probably one of the best shortstops who ever played the game." Backus was a physical education teacher at a high school in Anaheim, California
Anaheim, California
Anaheim is a city in Orange County, California. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was about 365,463, making it the most populated city in Orange County, the 10th most-populated city in California, and ranked 54th in the United States...
when she was hired by UCLA and kept her teaching job for the first couple years after being hired at UCLA. Backus taught in Anaheim in the mornings and drove to UCLA for practice and games in the afternoon. Holland recalled that UCLA paid Backus about $1,500 year as a part-time coach, "and I don't think the money even paid for her gas."
In Backus's first three years at UCLA, the team struggled. Between 1975 and 1977, UCLA compiled a record of 44-20. In the formative years of the program, the Bruins played at city parks, where they were "often bumped from fields by recreational softball leagues." Backus moved her team to the UCLA intramural field, but it was not until 1980 that her team got its own field.
In 1978, the Bruins won their first national softball championship with a 31-3 record. After women's softball became an NCAA sport in 1982, Backus's teams won six of the first nine NCAA softball tournaments. In all, Backus led UCLA to eight NCAA tournament championships (in addition to the 1978 pre-NCAA championship) in 1982 (33-7-2), 1984 (45-6-1), 1985 (41-9), 1988 (53-8), 1989 (48-4), 1990 (62-7), 1992 (54-2), and 1995 (50-6).
From 1988 to 1990, the Bruins won three consecutive NCAA championships and compiled a record of 163-19. Backus's success led the Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
in 1990 to compare Backus to UCLA's legendary basketball coach John Wooden
John Wooden
John Robert Wooden was an American basketball player and coach. Nicknamed the "Wizard of Westwood", he won ten NCAA national championships in a 12-year period — seven in a row — as head coach at UCLA, an unprecedented feat. Within this period, his teams won a record 88 consecutive games...
:
"When you talk about UCLA dynasties, you start with John Wooden, who coached the men's basketball team to 10 NCAA titles. But Backus has built a dynasty of her own. ... In total, the Bruins have won seven national titles, finished second twice and third twice in Backus' 15 seasons."
Commenting on the pressure and anxiety fostered by success, Backus noted, "John Wooden once said that he wished one national championship to his best friends, but four to his enemies."
In December 1995, the UCLA women's softball program was placed on probation after an investigation revealed that UCLA had awarded more scholarships than were permitted under UCLA rules. The Fresno Bee
The Fresno Bee
The Fresno Bee is the daily newspaper serving Fresno, California and surrounding counties in that U.S. state's San Joaquin Valley. It is owned by The McClatchy Company and ranks fourth in circulation among the company's newspapers....
wrote that the penalties "bring shame to college softball and added, "The image of UCLA's softball program won't ever be the same. The Bruins got caught. ... For two seasons, they went over the scholarship limit, the equivalent of cheating on taxes. Now they must pay."
Amid an NCAA probe prompted by a Los Angeles Times investigation into UCLA pitcher Tanya Harding, Backus announced her retirement in January 1997 after 21 years as the team's head coach. Backus compiled a record of 847 wins, 167 losses and 3 ties at UCLA. At the time of her retirement, she was "the winningest college softball coach" in the history of the sport. Backus told the press when she retired, "I've had a great career at UCLA, but it's time for a change. My primary reason for stepping down has to do with the illness and death of my mother in early October. That, plus the ongoing NCAA probe of the softball program have created a level of stress that I feel is best to put behind me at this time."
Backus coached 29 All-Americans and numerous top players at UCLA, including Dot Richardson
Dot Richardson
Dorothy Richardson is an American physician and former international softball player.-Education:...
, Lisa Fernandez
Lisa Fernandez
For the politician, see Liza Fernandez RodriguezLisa Fernandez is a right-handed softball pitcher of Cuban-Puerto Rican descent. She established an Olympic record in softball with 25 strikeouts in a game as a member of the United States Women's team.-Early years:Lisa's father immigrated from Cuba,...
(the first softball player to win the Honda-Broderick Cup
Honda-Broderick Cup
The Honda-Broderick Cup is a sports award for college-level female athletes. The awards are voted on by a national panel of more than 1000 collegiate athletic directors. It was first presented by the late Thomas Broderick, owner of a sports apparel company, in 1977, with the first award going to...
as the top female collegiate athlete), Sheila Cornell-Douty
Sheila Cornell-Douty
Sheila Marie Cornell-Douty is an American softball player and Olympic champion.After graduating from UCLA she played for the Stratford Brakettes from 1988 through 1994. She also competed at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta where she received a gold medal with the American team...
, Kerry Dienelt
Kerry Dienelt
Kerry Dienelt is a former softball catcher from Australia, who won a bronze medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics and 2000 Summer Olympics....
, Debbie Doom
Debbie Doom
Debbie Doom was a former All-American pitcher for, among others, UCLA Bruins and the United States' National Softball Team just prior to the major boom in the sport's popularity both in America and worldwide...
, Jennifer Brundage
Jennifer Brundage
Jennifer Brundage is an American softball player and Olympic champion. She is currently assistant softball coach at the University of Michigan....
, Tanya Harding
Tanya Harding
Tanya Victoria Harding is an Australian softball player, who has competed for Australia at four consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in 1996. Three times she claimed a bronze medal , and once a silver medal .In 1995, Harding enrolled at UCLA for one trimester...
, Sue Enquist
Sue Enquist
Sue Enquist is a former softball player and coach. She played softball at UCLA under Sharron Backus from 1975 to 1978. She helped lead UCLA to its first national softball championship in the 1978 Women's College World Series and became UCLA's first All-American softball player. Her career...
, Lisa Longaker (three-time All-American), Samantha Ford, Tiffany Boyd, Lorraine Maynez, DeeDee Weiman, Yvonne Gutierrez, Heather Compton, Tracy Compton, Shanna Flynn, Shelly Montgomery, Missy Phillips, Leslie Rover, Monica Tourville, Lisa Richardson, Jan Jeffers, Karen Andrews
Karen Andrews
Karen Lesley Andrews is an Australian mechanical engineer, industrial relations representative for management, businessperson and politician. She has been the Liberal National Party of Queensland member of the Australian House of Representatives seat of McPherson since the 2010 federal...
, Tricia Mang, Alleah Poulson and Jancie Park.
Women's Pro Fastpitch
In 1998, Backus coached the Orlando Wahoos in the Women's Pro FastpitchNational Pro Fastpitch
National Pro Fastpitch , formerly the Women's Pro Softball League , is the only professional women's softball league in the United States. The WPSL was founded in 1997 and folded in 2001. The NPF revived the league in 2004 and currently features four teams: USSSA Pride, Akron Racers, Chicago...
league. WPF league director Rayla Allison said at the time, "With Sharron, we've stepped up the level of professionalism and improved our marketability. Her name will be a big drawing card for fans, players and coaches." Backus noted that her goals were to attract youngsters to the game and to bolster the league so that it might reach the status of the Women's National Basketball Association
Women's National Basketball Association
The Women's National Basketball Association is a women's professional basketball league in the United States. It currently is composed of twelve teams. The league was founded on April 24, 1996 as the women's counterpart to the National Basketball Association...
.
Honors and recognition
Backus was inducted into the Amateur Softball AssociationAmateur Softball Association
The Amateur Softball Association is a volunteer, non-profit organization based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It was founded in 1933 with a tournament held in Chicago that was organized by Leo Fischer and Michael J. Pauley. The following year the 1934 National Recreation Congress recognized the ASA. ...
's National Softball Hall of Fame
National Softball Hall of Fame
National Softball Hall of Fame and Museum is a softball museum located in Oklahoma City's Adventure District. It includes the "Don E. Porter" Hall of Fame Stadium, home to the World Cup of Softball and the annual Women's College World Series...
in 1985, and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame
National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame
The National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame was established in 1991 to recognize coaches who have made extraordinary contributions to the sport of softpitch softball. The National Fastpitch Coaches Association is a professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches from all...
in 1991. She has also been inducted into the Women's Sports Foundation Hall of Fame.
See also
- National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of FameNational Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of FameThe National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame was established in 1991 to recognize coaches who have made extraordinary contributions to the sport of softpitch softball. The National Fastpitch Coaches Association is a professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches from all...
- List of college softball coaches with 800 career wins