June 4, 2001

TAMPA, Fla. - University of South Florida head softball coach Ken Eriksen has been named to the U.S. National Softball Team coaching staff. The staff will be responsible for selecting the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team that will compete in Athens, Greece. In addition the U.S. National team will travel and play several international exhibition games in Canada, Venezuela, and Hawaii.

"This is a tremendous accolade for our program," said Eriksen. "This honor is just a reflection of the outstanding players that we have at USF and is a credit to where our program has gone. It's just a great honor and a new challenge that I look forward to."

This past year Eriksen led the Bulls to a 43-34 record and a berth in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1998. USF, seeded fourth in the Region 4, finished 2-2 in their qualifying bracket and fell one game short of the College World Series. South Florida defeated Oregon State (2-1) and top seeded Alabama (3-2) and lost to Michigan twice - 6-4, in 13 innings, and 7-1 in the regional final.

Eriksen is 235-120 in six seasons at USF.