SAN FRANCISCO -- Academy of Art University Director of Athletics Brad Jones has announced Geena Garabedian as the new head coach of the Urban Knights softball program. A familiar face within the Pacific West Conference following her recent stint leading Holy Names softball, Garabedian brings over six years of coaching experience into her role at ART U.

"I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to be named head softball coach at Academy of Art University," Garabedian said. "I would like to thank Director of Athletics Brad Jones and the rest of the search committee for providing me with the privilege to lead the amazing group of student-athletes as we strive for growth, greatness, and success together. Academy of Art University is a fantastic place where everyone can succeed on and off the field and I am excited to get started."

Beginning as a graduate assistant and assistant coach with HNU softball in 2018, Garabedian progressed to become the program's head coach ahead of the 2021 campaign. The Hawks finished that season ranked second in the PacWest in batting average (.302) as well as third in slugging percentage (.409) then remained among the conference's statistical leaders the following year, ending second in stolen bases (57) as well as third in batting average (.281), home runs (15), and runs batted in (155) with All-PacWest First Team honoree Lyndsey Widner shining with the conference's highest slugging percentage (.629). After Holy Names earned the first of what would be back-to-back Highest Team GPA Awards thanks to a collective 3.61 mark in 2022, the Hawks spent 2023 matching their highest conference win total in program history while adding the highest overall win total since 2016, achieving a victory over No. 9 Concordia along the way.

Garabedian previously served as an assistant coach for Washington Union High School during the 2018 spring season. Prior to her time with Washington Union, Garabedian coached multiple age groups for travel ball organizations in both Fresno and Oakland.
 
A former softball student-athlete herself, Garabedian competed at Buchanan High School then Reedley College where she was a regular starter, two-time First Team All-Conference, Female Athlete of the Year, and an Academic All-American. She would finish her softball career at Holy Names prior to earning her bachelor's degree in Sport Biology then her master's degree in Education.