OKLAHOMA CITY —University’s of Oklahoma softball coach Patty Gasso discussed Tuesday how she will manage leading the Sooners and Team USA.
OU softball players take the field at Devon Park pretty much yearly for the Women’s College World Series. Team USA said Gasso was the obvious choice to coach the players since the stadium in Oklahoma City could host the Olympics.
“This moment is truly special in my career, and it feels like a dream come true to be appointed as a coach of Team USA,” Gasso said.
The Los Angeles City Council needs to approve hosting the Olympic softball games in Oklahoma City.
“To see her have this stage just means the world to me, and I’m just excited for all the athletes who get to work with her, but it was a special moment,” Tiare Jennings, former OU player, said.
Gasso said coaching Team USA was a lifelong dream, and she is honored to be the first woman to lead the team. But now the hard work begins of picking 15 players to join her.
“That’s probably the hardest thing I can imagine,” Gasso said. “The process is going to be tough, but it’s going to be fair. The culture is going to be elite.”
The plan is to have OU softball and Team USA play side-by-side as often as possible, so Gasso can get both teams championship ready.
Jennings, who now coaches alongside Gasso, said she can’t wait to see how that plays out.
“Would be super cool just seeing them side by side. For me, that’s a dream come true having OU and USA Softball side by side,” Jennings said.
She said having Gasso decide the lineup is exciting, and she is ready to try to earn her spot.
“Just super excited to get to work. Theres still some time. The work is not finished. It’s going to be a hard process, but I’m just excited to keep working,” Jennings said.
Gasso spoke for the first time about being named Team USA coach during a news conference on Tuesday.
“My goal is to make Team USA the best it can be during my tenure, and I firmly believe– I don’t firmly believe–I know we will put in the hard work necessary to earn a gold medal in LA ’28,” Gasso said.