Paula Congleton

Bio

Dr. Paula Congleton completed her 19th season in 2017. The Vaqueros went 22-16 and finished fifth in the WSC North. They've won 22 or more games six times in the last seven years.

Paula has molded the softball program into one of the elite teams in the WSC. She posted her 300th win on April 17, 2014, then notched her 350th win on April 22, 2017 in a 4-2 victory over Cuesta. Congleton is 354-322 overall and 188-160 in conference.

She guided the team to its greatest postseason success in 2016 -- winning a Southern Cal Regional series and advancing to the Super Regional for the first time ever. The 2016 squad won the second-most games (30-14) in school history. They finished third in the WSC Gold Division and were seeded ninth for the Regional. They ended up tying for seventh in Southern Cal.

Paula has been a full-time faculty member in the Physical Education/Athletic Division at SBCC since 1998. She teaches Health, Weight Training, Kinesiology and works in the Life Fitness Center.

She's been a three-time WSC Gold Division Coach of the Year, including 2011 when the Vaqueros set a school-record for wins (31-7), captured the WSC title and played in the Southern Cal Regional.

Congleton and longtime assistant Bill Hilliard received accolades as the 2011 WSC, Southern Cal and NFCA National Coaching Staff of the Year. Additional duties that Paula has had the opportunity to be a part of include Associate Athletic Director and Coordinator of the Academic Achievement Zone for student-athletes.

After attending the University of New Mexico, Congleton received her B.S. in Physical Education. As a first baseman on the Lobos, she was a 4-year Scholar Athlete (3.89 GPA) and a 3-time All-American. While completing her Master’s degree in Curriculum Development, she was a Graduate Assistant with the Lobo Softball Team.

In 2009, Paula received her Doctorate in Educational Administration. As an educational leader, she strives to ensure that her actions are consistent with her words. Congleton’s enthusiasm for teaching and coaching is what drives her passion. As a teacher and a coach, she believes that when you really love what you do, it shows in your language, actions, and attitude. Coach Congleton believes that when you commit yourself to something, you owe it to yourself and others to give your very best.