“We have to continue to grow to learn how to get to each and every player.  If I can learn to communicate in different ways, then I can become a better coach to 23 players.”

Her players call her Coacha. Coach Lonni Alameda, head coach for the Florida State Seminoles shares some serious wisdom for coaches. She touches on various topics such as time management, accountability, and coming into her own as a coach. While working with the Florida State staff at their annual December camp, they made me feel like family. Everyone is so warm and welcoming and that’s because Coacha takes the time to choose players and staff that reflect her vision. She stresses the importance of bringing in people with the same passion and work ethic. Lonni shares her experience from last season going to the World Series and now looking into the future with her current team.

“I am who I am. I’m going to be who I am. And I’m going to give my all to the game in the way that I do it.”

Favorite Quote: “Be the change you wish to see in the World.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Bio:  Coach Lonni Alameda is heading into her seventh season as the head coach of the Florida State softball program, Lonni Alameda has guided the Seminoles back into one of the nation’s best teams.  FSU has played in the NCAA postseason every year under Alameda, and is one of only nine schools to participate in the NCAA Tournament in every season since 2000. Since Alameda has made Tallahassee her home, she has led the Seminoles to five ACC Championship game appearances in six seasons, with titles in 2011 and 2014.

Alameda came to FSU from UNLV, where she spent five seasons reviving the Rebels’ program. She replaced Dr. JoAnne Graf, who retired after 30 seasons with the Seminoles.

Alameda moved to Las Vegas after eight seasons as the assistant coach at Stanford University, where she helped guide the Cardinal to a 320-179-1 record and six straight NCAA Regional appearances. She oversaw the pitching staff there and produced three All-Americans: Becky Blevins, Marcy Crouch and Dana Sorenson.

Prior to her stint at Stanford, Alameda spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Barry University (Miami Shores, Fla.). She helped the Buccaneers to a fifth-place NCAA Division II finish in her first year. She also spent some time on the international stage, serving as an instructor for both the Aruba (1995) and Spanish (2000) national teams.

An all-around great athlete, Alameda began her collegiate career as a pitcher at St. Mary’s University (San Antonio, Texas) where she led the Rattlers to the NAIA Tournament in her only season. She later transferred to Oklahoma in 1989 and played softball and volleyball for the Sooners. She was a two-time All-Big Eight selection as a first and third baseman, while hitting .359 as a senior in 1992.

Alameda earned her bachelor’s degree in communications from Oklahoma in 1993 and played softball professionally in Europe for a season before beginning her coaching career

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