May 12, 2009

Mike Larabee, the head coach of the Wright State softball team, has been selected as an assistant coach for the USA Softball Women's National Team for the Pan American Games qualifier this summer, it was announced recently.

The qualifier, which will take place in Maracay, Venezuela, from July 29-August 10, will determine which teams will take part in the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.

"Being a part of the national team is quite an honor," said Larabee. "I have enjoyed my previous experiences with the National Team and I am looking forward to this experience this summer."

Earlier this year, Larabee was selected to the USA Women's National Team Coaching Pool for the 2009-12 Olympic Quadrennium. A part of the pool for the 2005-08 Olympic Quadrennium, Larabee was part of the selection camp committee that chose the participants for the Pan American Qualifying Team. That team competed in Guatemala late in 2005, qualified for the 2006 World Championships in Beijing, China and won the gold medal at the 2006 World University Games in Taiwan.

Along with his coaching experience at Wright State and as an assistant at Illinois, Larabee also enjoyed an extensive playing career in baseball and fast-pitch softball. He was a member of the U.S. National Men's Fastpitch team in 1996 and 2000 and also participated in the 1999 Pan American Games National Team Festival. He was also a three-time American Softball Association All-American, played in four U.S. Olympic Sports Festivals and was been named to the ISC All-World Team twice.

Wright State closed out its season last week with a 34-21 record and a third-place finish at the Horizon League Tournament in Pendleton, Indiana. The 34 wins are the second-most ever for the Raiders in a season.