Head softball coach Melissa McElvain announced the addition of Cheryl Schaefer to her staff as an assistant coach on June 17, 2015. Schaefer comes to USD after two seasons as the head coach at San Diego Christian.
"I have always respected Cheryl as a player, coach and person," Coach McElvain said. "I am truly honored to have her join the USD Softball family. She is a very well-respected coach and a remarkable teacher of the game, and she's been extremely successful as both an assistant and head coach."
Before becoming the first-ever head coach at SDCC, Schaefer coached at Point Loma Nazarene, her alma mater, from 2003-2009. After spending six seasons as an assistant, she was named PLNU's head coach in 2009.
"I feel overwhelmed and honored for the opportunity to be a part of this awesome program and university," Schaefer said at the time of her hiring. "I am looking forward to working side by side with Coach McElvain and the whole softball coaching staff, help this elite program continue their success, and push hard into the future of winning many championships."
Schaefer had an immediate impact on the Torero offense. In her first season USD set a school record for doubles in a season with 75 and had the highest team batting average of the McElvain era (.300). Under her guidance, the Toreros had two players named to the NFCA All-Region team (Mary Grabowski and Taylor Spence).
During her time as an assistant and head coach at PLNU, Schaefer helped guide the Sea Lions to seven NAIA World Series appearances, including a runner-up finish for the National Championship in 2007. After Point Loma dropped their softball program, Schaefer became an assistant at San Diego City College.
As a player for cross-town Point Loma Nazarene University, Schaefer (playing under her maiden name Bolding) was a four-time first team all-GSAC player, a four-time NAIA All-American, a three-time GSAC Player of the Year winner, and a two-time NAIA National Player of the Year. Schaefer helped the Sea Lions with two GSAC and two Region II titles and was a part of three teams that made the NAIA National Championship Tournament.
Schaefer still ranks in the NAIA top-10 in numerous offensive categories and her name is in the PLNU university career and single season record book in 17 places. She was inducted into the PLNU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008 and to the NAIA Hall of Fame in 2010.
In addition to her collegiate career, Schaefer played for Arizona Heat, a professional softball franchise in the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) League, for two years (2004-05). In 2004, she led the Heat in hits and earned a spot on the NPF All-Star team. The next season, she hit .389 with a .472 on base percentage with 11 doubles, 28 runs scored and 26 RBI.
"Her background as a player is just as impressive as her successful coaching career, McElvain said. "I believe her passion, competitiveness, and drive will help lead USD Softball to the next level."
Schaefer lives in El Cajon with her husband Joe, the PLNU head baseball coach, and their three sons, Brayden, Riley, and Cannon.
