Gordon College Women's Softball

Current Head Coach/Manager of New England Fusion Gold-Rivera 18U / 18+ College Team, *Former Seacoast Showcase Gold 18U (2022-USA Softball of NH State Champions). My focus is player development to play at a higher level with the goal to adjust to the speed of the game, attain a higher softball IQ level and be able to play at the next level in college. My passion for the game, competitiveness, energy and enthusiasm will help players into a well rounded athlete while on the field as well as build confidence, character and integrity off the field. Coaching Experience: 21 years coaching youth sports (USA/ASA Softball) 11 years high school coach, (50-21 record) Assisted over 54 student-athletes play at the next level in college 8 time USA Softball of NH State Champions 4 time USA Softball of NH State Finalist 2017 USSSA Champions Nationals Multiple Tournament/Invitational Championships 41 Consecutive Game Winning Streak, 2017 Finished 3rd in 18U division, USA Softball National Championships, 2023 Finished 4th, 6th & 7th Place in Eastern National Championships Former Head Coach/Manager for Seacoast Showcase Gold 18U, Former Head Coach for Seacoast Softball 18+ College Team, Former Co-Head Coach for New England Diamond Gems Gold 18U, Former Head Coach/Manager for New Hampshire Comets 10U-18U Former Varsity Head & Assistant Coach at Bishop Brady High School

Director of Athletics Jason Linders has announced today that Lily Rivera '21 has been elevated to become the next head coach of the Gordon College softball program. Rivera spent the last two seasons in the dugout as an assistant coach for the squad, and previously wore the Fighting Scot name across her chest for five years as an impactful student-athlete for the program. "We are thrilled to welcome Lily as our new head softball coach," said Linders. "As a former assistant and distinguished alumna of the program, Lily exhibits a passion and vision to compete for conference championships while providing holistic support to allow our student-athletes to grow in their faith on and off the field. Her tremendous recruiting ties in New England, specifically Massachusetts and New Hampshire, will be invaluable as we continue to build our program. In addition to her coaching abilities, Lily's faith and familiarity with Gordon College's culture make her an ideal fit and we are excited to embark on this exciting new chapter in our softball program."   As well as being an assistant coach for the Scots since August of 2022, Rivera has been the center director among other duties with an organization called, KidStrong, which is "Athletic Play – a new kind of activity for kids ages 1-11 that builds confidence, character and family connection through science-based fitness games led by expert coaches". There, Rivera led five different branches in the New England area, recruiting, hiring, and training new coaches. Throughout the past eight years, Rivera has worked extensively in the travel ball sector where she began as an assistant coach with the New Hampshire Comets in 2016. Then, from 2020-2022, Rivera coached on the Seacoast Softball staff. Most recently, Rivera has been with the New England Fusion Showcase team since 2022 and this summer alone have won three tournaments. In each of these roles, Rivera developed players to be ready to compete at the collegiate level. On the diamond, Rivera started 145 games of her 147, boasted a .535 slugging average, .387 on base percentage, as well as a .342 batting average. In 465 career at bats, Rivera scattered 159 hits, with 34 being doubles and 16 home runs, tallying 101 runs scored, and 99 RBIs throughout her playing career. The infielder split time between second and third base, while holding a .904 fielding percentage. Rivera was named to the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) 2nd Team at the third base position twice in her career.  "Gordon Softball has been my home for the last seven years. I knew when I toured campus as a prospective student that this was the place the Lord wanted me to be. It has been a beautiful journey playing for five years, assistant coaching for two years, and now the head coach. This has been one of the biggest dreams of mine and I am so excited to see what the Lord has in store for this program. I want to thank President Hammond, Jason Linders, Jon Welty Peachy, the athletic leadership team, and Gordon athletics for this opportunity to play for the Lord and build women in their relationship with God, in academics, and in softball! Thank you to all my family and friends that have supported my dream of coaching and always been by my side through all the years of playing and coaching softball. This wouldn't be possible without you. I can't thank you enough for all the support and love you have given to me that I get to share with others. I am so excited for this new journey and can't wait to see how Gordon Softball will continue to grow! It's a great day to be a Scot!" Rivera earned a Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Sport, and Wellness from the College in 2021, before obtaining her Master of Science in Financial Analysis in May of 2022. 

Experience Coach Freddy Rivera comes to Gordon College with a wealth of coaching experience. Coach Rivera is entering his 22nd year of coaching youth sports, including 11 years at the high school level. The last 16 years, Coach Rivera has started four different club travel teams including being named the 18U Head Coach for the USA Softball High Performance Program (HPP) - 2020, known as The Pipeline to the Women’s National Team, identifying a pool of athletes to train, compete and represent USA Softball through domestic and international competition. Coach Rivera has assisted over 55 Student-Athletes to continue their academic and athletic careers at the college level through softball. Coach Rivera has served as team manager, board member, head and assistant coach, hitting instructor for various organizations and recently certified umpire for NFHS, FPN and USA Softball of NH. Currently Coach Rivera is assistant coach and recruiting coordinator assisting Head Coach Lily Rivera at Gordon College.  Coach Rivera's professional background includes being a Lead Transition Specialist, assisting local high school students with disabilities to graduate through Extended Learning Opportunities, providing support to work sites and assisting students to live independently in their communities. Coach Rivera was also Center Director and Coach at KidStrong, a milestone accelerator for kids helping parents discover their child’s superpowers and build future-ready kids through a science-based program that helps parents build strong, confident, high-character kids. Coach Rivera studied law enforcement and had experience working with various security companies including BAE Systems through Allied Universal Security, Public Safety Officer at SNHU and Correctional Officer at the NH State Prison. Coach Rivera also worked for 14 years in the school system as a gym teacher, coach, assistant to the athletic director, maintenance, facilities and transportation. Currently, Coach Rivera is now working for Physical Plant at Gordon College.