Her Story
About Sonja
Sonya Garnett serves as head softball coach at St. Mary's College of California, entering her ninth year in the role after previously coaching at Academy of Art University in Division II, where her team reached postseason play. With more than 15 years in the field of athletics, she focuses on pitching instruction and athlete development while overseeing recruiting, budgeting, fundraising, and program building. Garnett holds a bachelor's degree in liberal studies from San Francisco State and a graduate degree in sports management from Long Beach State. She was recently named Mid-Major Coach of the Year and maintains active involvement in the NFCA coaches association through mentorship activities. She attributes her success to passion for the sport, patience in meeting athletes where they are, a willingness to listen, hard work, and an emphasis on building strong relationships while developing the mental game. Garnett values joy in daily efforts, kindness, and elevating those around her, and she advises young women entering the field to seek mentorship, understand their own goals, and remain eager learners.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sonja
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to passion, trying to meet athletes where they are, not being too stubborn to listen, being patient, and working really hard. This industry takes a lot out of us and it's a grind, but making sure to try to find the balance as much as possible. Creating really important relationships with our student-athletes and working hard on the mental game to make sure they're confident.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be eager to be mentored, to learn, and try to figure out what they want their mark on the sport to be, and what they want their mark on young athletes to be. Really understand who you are and what you want to bring to the table, and then be a really good listener and learner along the way.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenges include funding for women's sports at the college level, especially outside Power Four conferences, needing facilities like a stadium, and the competitive gap created by NIL. Opportunities are huge as softball continues to grow with the professional league AUSL rebranding and taking off, more interest in the sport, potential for better donors, and strong leadership in the coaching world.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Having joy in everything that we do, coming home to my family, going to work even on hard days, finding some sort of joy in the sport and in the grind. Being a good person, always carry yourself with kindness regardless of what's happening on or off the field. Trying to elevate other people around me, making sure that everyone is striving to be a better version of themselves.
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