BREAKING NEWS: An Honor to Kristen Zaleski — Texas Longhorns Softball Unveils the Statue of Award-Winning Assistant Coach Kristen Zaleski…
AUSTIN, TEXAS – June 14, 2025
In a moment etched forever in the hearts of Texas Longhorns fans, alumni, and athletes alike, the University of Texas at Austin officially unveiled a stunning bronze statue in honor of Kristen Zaleski, the legendary assistant coach who helped shape generations of Texas softball athletes. This historic tribute took place in front of a packed crowd at Red & Charline McCombs Field, as the Longhorns community gathered to celebrate the enduring legacy and monumental impact of one of the sport’s most respected and beloved figures.
As the sun lit up the Texas sky, the atmosphere in Austin was electric—not only for the softball game to follow but for the symbolic unveiling of a statue that immortalizes Zaleski’s profound influence on the program. The moment was not just a tribute to a coach; it was a celebration of leadership, dedication, and the guiding hand behind many of Texas softball’s greatest triumphs.
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FROM STELLAR PLAYER TO ICONIC COACH: THE LEGACY OF KRISTEN ZALESKI
Kristen Zaleski’s journey through the world of softball has been one of remarkable achievement, tireless commitment, and unrelenting passion. Born and raised in Texas, Zaleski was a standout player at Texas State University, where she earned All-American honors and was known for her blazing speed and intelligent play. Her prowess on the field later earned her a place on the USA National Softball Team and a successful professional career with the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) league, where she continued to earn accolades and inspire young players across the nation.
But it was her role as an assistant coach for the Texas Longhorns that would eventually define her legacy.
Over her years with the Longhorns, Zaleski became known not only as a brilliant strategist and outfield specialist but also as a fierce motivator, a compassionate mentor, and a coach who understood the balance between athletic rigor and personal growth. She helped elevate the Texas program into a national powerhouse, guiding them to multiple Women’s College World Series appearances, developing All-Americans, and establishing a culture of discipline, unity, and fearlessness.
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THE UNVEILING CEREMONY: A HISTORIC DAY FOR TEXAS SOFTBALL
The official statue unveiling ceremony began at 10:00 a.m. local time with a moving rendition of “The Eyes of Texas” sung by a student-athlete ensemble. Thousands of fans had gathered, many wearing burnt orange shirts with Zaleski’s name emblazoned across the back. The air buzzed with anticipation as former players, university dignitaries, and Zaleski’s family members took their seats at the front row of the newly named Kristen Zaleski Plaza—the ceremonial space outside McCombs Field where the statue now stands.
UT Athletics Director Chris Del Conte took the podium first, delivering a heartfelt address that touched on Zaleski’s quiet but unwavering leadership:
> “Kristen Zaleski is one of the most brilliant minds and dedicated hearts in college athletics. Her ability to mold players into champions both on and off the field is second to none. Today, we don’t just honor a coach—we honor a legacy, a spirit, a force that shaped the heartbeat of Texas softball.”
Next came a surprise video montage played on the jumbotron, featuring messages from players Zaleski had coached through the years. One after another, they described how “Coach Z” changed their lives—not just as athletes, but as women prepared to face the world with confidence and resolve.
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KRISTEN ZALESKI’S SPEECH: TEARS, TRIBUTE, AND THANKFULNESS
As the crowd quieted, Kristen Zaleski herself approached the stage, visibly moved by the overwhelming display of love and admiration. Her voice, full of emotion, carried through the speakers as she addressed the audience.
> “I never set out to have a statue. I set out to make a difference. I set out to give young women a voice, to help them realize their worth, their strength, and their potential—on the diamond and far beyond it.”
Zaleski thanked her former coaches, her family, and the athletes she had mentored over the years. She also gave special recognition to Head Coach Mike White, with whom she built one of the most formidable coaching partnerships in NCAA softball.
> “Mike gave me a platform. This university gave me a purpose. But it was the players who gave me meaning. Every day I came to this field, I knew I was lucky. This is home.”
The crowd gave her a standing ovation that lasted more than two minutes. Many fans and players were seen wiping away tears.
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THE STATUE: A SYMBOL OF GRIT, GRACE, AND GREATNESS
Crafted by acclaimed sculptor Rosa Morales, the statue depicts Zaleski in her iconic coaching stance: clipboard in hand, eyes focused on the field, exuding calm authority. The sculpture perfectly captures her essence—steady, thoughtful, and quietly commanding. The base is engraved with one of her most famous quotes:
> “Excellence isn’t loud. It’s consistent.”
Standing over 7 feet tall, the statue is strategically positioned so that it faces the field she helped build into one of the fiercest battlegrounds in college softball. It now serves not only as a physical landmark but also as a spiritual guardian of the Texas softball legacy.
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THE REACTIONS: A COMMUNITY UPLIFTED
The day was full of raw emotion and reverent joy. Fans and former players shared memories and posed for photos at the foot of the new statue.
Former All-American Janae Jefferson, one of Zaleski’s protégées, said:
> “I wouldn’t be the player—or the woman—I am today without Coach Z. Her belief in me changed everything. This statue is long overdue.”
Coach Mike White echoed similar sentiments:
> “She’s been the heartbeat of our coaching staff for years. A brilliant tactician, a mentor, a role model—Kristen Zaleski represents everything right about college sports.”
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LOOKING FORWARD: THE KRISTEN ZALESKI FOUNDATION ANNOUNCED
To cap off the ceremony, the University of Texas made a surprise announcement: the creation of the Kristen Zaleski Foundation for Women in Sports Leadership, a new initiative aimed at funding scholarships, internships, and coaching development programs for women pursuing careers in athletics.
The foundation has already received support from Nike, the NCAA, and several prominent Texas alumni.
> “Kristen has always championed opportunities for women,” said UT President Jay Hartzell. “This foundation will extend her impact far beyond the dugout.”
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A PERMANENT PLACE IN TEXAS HISTORY
The statue of Kristen Zaleski now joins the pantheon of Texas Longhorns legends memorialized on campus—standing proudly among the likes of Earl Campbell, Ricky Williams, and Jody Conradt. But perhaps more than any other honoree, Zaleski’s tribute speaks not only to athletic greatness but to mentorship, leadership, and the quiet power of making a difference, one player at a time.
With this statue, the Texas Longhorns have made one thing undeniably clear: Kristen Zaleski’s legacy is forever burned into the soul of Texas softball.
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FINAL THOUGHTS
Today’s statue unveiling wasn’t just a historic first—it was a storybook moment for a program and a university that believes in honoring its heroes the right way. And in doing so, Texas didn’t just celebrate a coach. It celebrated a movement, a standard, and a woman who transformed the lives of everyone lucky enough to wear burnt orange.
Kristen Zaleski: Coach. Mentor. Icon. Forever a Longhorn.
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