(St. George, Utah – Aug. 31, 2023) Trailblazer softball head coach Randy Simkins officially announced the addition of two new assistant coaches on Thursday, with Marissa Chavez and Faith Hoe officially joining the program.
 
"We're thrilled to add Marissa and Faith to our Utah Tech softball coaching staff.  They were both excellent players who played the game at a high level for very good college programs," Simkins said. "They've been coached by excellent coaches and are driven to be the best. Adding these two will make our coaching staff even better, and we're excited for the impact that they'll have with our players and within our program."
 
Chavez was a four-year starter at BYU, making over 100 appearances and being named First Team All-WCC after her sophomore year. She was also named Second Team All-WCC after hitting .379 with five home runs and a .598 slugging percentage as a junior in 2021.
 
Originally from Covina, Calif., Chavez joined the staff at Fairleigh Dickinson Florham for the 2023 season, where she began work on a graduate degree.
 
"I am grateful for the opportunity to join the UT Softball program and am extremely excited to work with and learn from both Coach Simkins and Coach Garoutte," Chavez said. "The UT softball program has always excelled both on and off the field and I hope to keep that excellence alive."
 
Faith Hoe started each of her 209 career appearances at Weber State, batting .324 with 13 home runs and 112 RBI across 605 at bats. A two-time All-Big Sky First Team selection who earned All-Big Sky Second Team honors as a freshman, Hoe was part of a Wildcat program that won three regular season championships and made an NCAA Regional Appearance in 2019.
 
A native of Walla Walla, Wash., Hoe recently graduated from WSU with a degree in Exercise Science.
 
"I am so excited to be a part of the Utah Tech softball program. What Coach Simkins has been able to accomplish on the softball field is impressive," Hoe said. "However, what impresses me even more are the girls, the community and culture. I look forward to adding to this success – Go Trailblazers!"
 
Utah Tech softball is set to begin its fall exhibition schedule in late September. More details will be made available at a later date.