Christen Thompson

Christen Thompson returns as the head coach for Menlo Softball for her fifth season in 2021.

In her time at Menlo, she has amassed a stellar coaching record of 97-79, making her currently the second winningest coach all-time in Menlo Softball History. During her tenure, Coach Thompson has coached eight All-GSAC Members, 11 NAIA Scholar Athletes, and two CoSIDA Academic All-District Members. She has led the Oaks to three straight GSAC Tournament appearances, with a fourth trip expected in 2020 before the season was cut short due to COVID-19. During her first season, she led the Oaks to a 31-18 record, the most wins in a single-season in program history. This helped the Oaks clinch their second GSAC playoff berth in as many seasons, one of three Menlo programs to make the GSAC playoffs in its first two seasons.

While at San Jose State prior to Menlo, Thompson helped the team to a WAC championship in 2013 – it's first in program history – and was a part of its 137-88 record during a four year span. She was twice named the SJSU Assistant Coach of the Year in 2011 and 2012 and claimed Academic Assistant Coach of the Year honors in 2015.

Thompson spent her playing career as an accomplished catcher at Humboldt State where she helped the team to a Division II National Championship in 1999. As a catcher for the Lumberjacks, she received all-region honors from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association in 2001 and would be inducted into the Humboldt State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009.

A standout in the classroom as well, Thompson graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2004 with a dual Bachelor of Science degree in environmental science and Geology with a minor in Watershed Management. She was a four-time NFCA All-American Scholar Athlete and a three-time Pac-West Academic All-Conference selection. Thompson continued her education in Dec. 2014 when she earned a Masters in Kinesiology from Texas Women's University with National Fastpitch Coaches College graduating with a 4.0 GPA. Her previous professional and coaching experiences include: four years of teaching at both the high school and junior high level, a pair of seasons as an assistant softball coach at Delta College and College of the Redwoods and serving as an instructor at a number of camps and clinics.