Softball Adds Aviu as Assistant Coach

NORMAN — University of Oklahoma head softball coach Patty Gasso announced Wednesday the addition of program alumna Falepolima Aviu to the Sooners' staff as an assistant coach. Aviu's hiring was made possible by an NCAA Division I Council decision in January to increase the number of countable coaches in select sports starting July 1.

A two-time national champion and All-American as a player for the Sooners and part of another national title on staff, Aviu returns to Norman after a one-year stint as assistant coach at North Carolina. Prior to her time in Chapel Hill, the Oceanside, Calif., native served as a graduate assistant at OU for the 2022 national championship season, a graduate manager at Ole Miss in 2021 and as a student manager upon graduation from OU in 2020.

"I'm very grateful we're able to welcome back Falepolima to our staff," said Gasso, who has coached OU to seven national championships, including titles each of the last three years. "She's a Sooner through and through, and she made an incredibly positive impact on our program as a player and leader for four years and as a graduate assistant during the 2021-22 school year, helping us win three national championships.

"But her success isn't limited to OU. I'm proud of the growth and development she exhibited as a member of North Carolina's staff this past year. She's extremely talented and has so much to offer our players. We're incredibly excited she's back home and I know she can't wait to get started."

A four-year OU starter, Aviu finished her collegiate playing career as a three-time All-Big 12 honoree and 2019 NFCA Second Team All-American. The outfielder holds top-10 spots in program annals for games played (255), doubles (45), times hit by pitch (36) and sacrifice flies (9). Aviu was part of OU's first set of back-to-back national championships in 2016 and 2017 before helping OU complete the feat again as a graduate assistant with the 2022 squad.

"I'm honored and blessed to be back at the University of Oklahoma," said Aviu. "I can't wait to learn and grow from the same coaches who helped mold me as a player and a coach. I'm grateful for this opportunity and excited to get to work. This program and these fans mean everything to me. Sooner Nation, it's good to be home."

For updates and more information on Oklahoma softball, follow the Sooners on Twitter and Instagram (@OU_Softball) and like Oklahoma Softball on Facebook.

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