SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.— Skidmore College has selected Schenectady native Rinae Olsen as head softball coach. Olsen recently completed her sixth year as an assistant at Ithaca College.
 
"I am excited to welcome Rinae as head coach of our softball program and back to the Capital District," said Gail Cummings-Danson, Skdmore athletics director and assistant vice president for student affairs. "As Rinae described her values and vision for the program, we knew she would be a wonderful addition to our department and campus community.
 
"Her passion for coaching, desire to succeed and emphasis on developing the whole student-athlete make her the ideal person to mentor and lead the students in our program. I look forward to watching our team excel in the classroom and on the field with Coach Olsen leading the way."
 
Olsen helped guide the Bombers to a third-place finish in the 2018 NCAA Division III championships and NCAA regional titles in 2016, 2018, and 2019. The Ithaca coaching staff was recognized as the 2018 and 2019 National Fastpitch Coaches Association Regional Staff of the Year. The team won league titles in 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2019.
 
During her tenure, Ithaca produced two first-team All-Americans, 24 NFCA All-Region selections, and 44 all-conference honorees.
 
"I would like to thank Gail Cummings-Danson and the rest of the search committee for trusting me with the future of Skidmore softball," Olsen said. "I am excited for the opportunity to come back home to my roots and bring my experiences to Thoroughbred softball. The support of my family, mentors and former coaches and players has developed me into the coach I am today.  
 
"Skidmore softball has a solid foundation with great potential and I am honored to be the next head coach to drive the program forward. I am confident with the potential this group has on the field and looking forward to watching them grow in the classroom and the community."
 
Prior to Ithaca, Olsen was an assistant for four seasons at her alma mater, Utica College. Utica earned its first NCAA tournament appearance and won its first Empira 8 title in 2013.
 
As an athlete, Olsen started 144 games and finished her career atop the school's all-time games played list (146).  She ranked fourth in hits (119), third in RBI (71), and third in total bases (161).
 
Olsen had a stellar high school career at Schalmont High School, graduating in 2005. She graduated from Utica College in May of 2009 with a degree in public relations.