New softball coach already likes it here

Nick Christiansen

Friday, June 27, 2003 | 9:20 a.m.

Lonni Alameda hasn't yet moved to Las Vegas from the San Francisco Bay area, but the new UNLV softball coach already thinks she has found the right place.

Alameda was introduced as the new Rebels softball coach Thursday. She replaces Shan McDonald, who was fired in May after a 17-year run that included three trips to the College World Series. Last year's UNLV softball team was 21-39, last in the Mountain West Conference.

While an assistant head coach at Stanford, Alameda, 33, was involved in team marketing, fund-raising, and coaching -- a "Joan of all trades," said UNLV President Dr. Carol Harter.

In Alameda's eight years at Stanford, the Cardinal had a 320-179-1 record. For the past three years, Alameda has been seeking a head coaching position. "I interviewed at Notre Dame, Tennessee, Oregon, kind of feeling things out, seeing what position was right for me. Everything happens for a reason, and this is the reason, this is the place," she said.

"Those were awesome opportunities, but I think you find a place where your heart fits, and where you want to be, and it happens."

According to UNLV associate athletic director Eric Tolliver, more than 70 prospective coaches applied for the UNLV position, including Olympic gold medalist and UNLV Hall-of-Famer Lori Harrigan. Tolliver said the search committee recommended four candidates to interim athletic director Fred Albrecht, who made the final decision to hire Alameda.

Harrigan indicated she would pursue a place on the softball staff and Alameda said she hopes that Harrigan wants to stay involved with the UNLV program.

"I haven't talked to Lori yet," Alameda said, "but if she's interested, I'd like to talk to her and see what her plan is."

As for Alameda, she plans first on introducing herself to her new team, then assembling a staff and getting on the recruiting trail.

She said she hopes to have a staff ready in the next two weeks.