Fullerton College Women's Softball

Mendoza was an outstanding prep athlete, earning a letter in three different sports (softball, basketball and volleyball) all four years of her high school career. But she was as her best on the softball diamond, where she collected many awards and honors that can attribute to her skills and dedication. Among her many awards are All-CIF accolades for softball in each of her final three seasons. Her awards were not limited to the softball diamond, and she earned three all-league selections in basketball and volleyball, establishing her as an outstanding athlete. Mendoza played travel ball with the 14-U Panthers, 18-U Inland Cities Raiders and Womens Open Team, the Irocs. Each of these teams became National Champions during her career with them. Speedy went on to earn a softball scholarship to perennial powerhouse Long Beach State, where she helped the 49ers to a fourth place finish at the 1988 Womens College World Series. Continuing her softball career, she was approached in 1998 with the opportunity of a lifetime, to play professionally with the Tampa Bay Firestix. This was her exciting chance to be able to fulfill a dream that was once only a thought. With her playing days behind her, Mendoza quickly joined the coaching ranks. She served as an Assistant Coach at her alma mater, Garden Grove High School, for four years, before accepting the softball Head Coach position at Rancho Alamitos High in 1994. Her dedication and success saw her being named Coach of the year her first season. Mendoza has also coached womens basketball at Magnolia High School, where in 1997 her girls earned the Orange League Team Sportsmanship Award. Turning her time and skills to help young women, Mendoza founded The Academy a softball training program for young athletes to polish their skills. The Academy offers training in offensive and defensive skills, as well as speed and agility training. Her reason for creating this program stem from her desire that all athletes of all ages should be able to reach their full potential in a positive environment that enables them to grow and be their best. Her success as both a player and coach is reflected in her philosophy that success is not marked in the wins or loss columns, but in the overall growth and development of the individual. Mendoza resides in Fullerton with her daughter, Americul. The Fullerton College Hornets are currently the 2024 3C2A STATE Champions