READING, Pa. – Penn State Berks Director of Athletics Barry Beal has announced the appointment of Rebecca Reinhart-Koziol as the next head coach of the Penn State Berks softball program.
Reinhart-Koziol takes over the program after serving as an assistant coach with the Nittany Lions for the past nine seasons. During her tenure, she helped guide the program to five conference championships while playing a key role in developing some of the top hitters in the conference. As the team's primary hitting coach, she worked closely with numerous All-Conference selections and National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Region honorees.
"I am incredibly honored and excited for the opportunity to lead the Penn State Berks softball program," said Reinhart-Koziol. "For the past nine years, I've had the privilege of working alongside Coach Ference and learning from one of the best. Together, we've built a culture of success that has resulted in five conference championships and countless memorable experiences. I am grateful for everything Donna has done for this program and for the impact she has had on me as a coach and mentor. As we move forward, I am excited to build upon that foundation, continue developing our student-athletes both on and off the field, and help our program compete for championships for years to come."
Reinhart-Koziol has been an integral part of one of the most successful stretches in program history. Her work with the offense helped establish the Nittany Lions as one of the premier programs in the conference while fostering the development of student-athletes who earned recognition at both the conference and regional levels.
"As we begin a new chapter for Berks Softball, we are fortunate to have a leader who understands our program, our student-athletes, and our institutional values," said Beal. "Throughout her time with the program, Becca has consistently demonstrated a commitment to student-athlete success, competitive excellence, and the culture we are building within Penn State Berks Athletics. She has earned the trust and respect of our student-athletes and colleagues, and I am confident she is the right person to lead Berks Softball moving forward. We are excited to see the program continue to grow under her leadership."
A former collegiate student-athlete, Reinhart-Koziol competed at both Neumann University and California University of Pennsylvania during her playing career. Her experiences as a player helped shape her coaching philosophy and passion for student-athlete development.
In addition to her coaching experience, Reinhart-Koziol brings a strong academic and professional background to her new role. She earned a Master of Science in Intercollegiate Athletic Administration from California University of Pennsylvania in 2016, graduating with a 3.8 GPA as a Presidential Scholar. She received her Bachelor of Science in Sport Management from Neumann University in 2014, where she graduated with a 3.9 GPA and was a member of Delta Epsilon Sigma.
Reinhart-Koziol has also continued her professional development through certifications from the American Council on Exercise, earning her Certified Personal Trainer credential in January 2019 and completing the Sports Performance Specialist Program in September 2019. Her expertise in strength and conditioning, player development, and performance training has been a valuable asset throughout her coaching career.
With nearly a decade of experience within the program and a proven track record of developing student-athletes, Reinhart-Koziol is well-positioned to build upon the foundation of success established at Penn State Berks and lead the Nittany Lions into the program's next era.
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