The Official Website of the Texas Woman's University Pioneers
Christa Pfeninger-- an experienced coach on various levels of the game -- joined the TWU coaching staff in 2018.
Ahead of the 2022 season, Pfeninger begins her fourth year as the Pioneer’s bullpen coach.
Before becoming a Pioneer, Pfeninger worked as the head coach for South Mountain Community College located in Phoenix, Arizona. In her five year tenor with the Cougars, her team competed in four regional playoffs, finishing second overall to top rated Phoenix College (where Pfeninger previously coached) in 2016.
Prior to taking over the helm at South Mountai, Pfeninger spent ten-years as an assistant for Phoenix College, primarily working with pitchers and catchers. In her ten-year stint with the Bears, she helped them win 6 NJCAA Division II National Championships (2012, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004), two runner-up NJCAA National finishes (2013 and 2009), and won the NJCAA Division II Regionals eight times. She has appeared in ten ACCAC Regional Tournaments, finishing first in eight appearances. She has also been named Speedline Coaching Staff of the Year four times (2012, 2007, 2006 and 2005).
Pfeninger graduated from Horizon High School in Phoenix, Arizona. While at Horizon, she won the high school 5A State Championship in 1997 and was named Diamond Sports Catcher of the Year. After graduating, she played collegiate softball career at Div. I University of Oklahoma in Norman, OK. She played one year for the Sooners and returned home the following year to attend Phoenix College.
While at Phoenix College, she helped the Bears to win their first-ever NJCAA National Title in 2000, and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player for both the ACCAC Regional and NJCAA National Tournament. Christa received NJCAA/NFCA 1st Team All-American honors as a catcher. She graduated from Phoenix College with an Associate’s Degree in Science.
After receiving her Associate's Degree, Pfeninger took her talents to Div. 1 University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT, where she graduated with a B.S. in Exercise Science. She earned her master’s degree online through East Central Oklahoma in Sports Administration.
Coach Pfeninger’s Coaching Philosophy:
"I believe that hard work, commitment and dedication are vital to the growth and development of young women. Collegiate athletics promotes self-esteem, independence, and responsibility, which allows athletes the opportunity to excel as adolescents as well as growing adults. My passion for the game revolves around my ability to offer those opportunities to young women. I want to pay back to the game what it has given to me and be able to pass on the same opportunities to other young female athletes looking to excel in life and education. What sets me apart from everyone else is my ability to teach the game along with life responsibilities. I use the game to teach my athletes how to function in the world beyond sports. I instill in them the importance of confidence, commitment and dedication, not only to their education but also to themselves."
