OKLAHOMA CITY — The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee announced today that two members from USA Softball, Patty Gasso and Linda “Dee” Mahoney, have been honored with the College Coach of the Year and Service Provider of the Year awards, respectively.
The USOPC Coach of the Year Program aims to recognize and reward the outstanding contributions of coaches and service providers who make a significant impact in their sports and National Governing Bodies (NGBs) each year. The selection for these awards is based on two key factors: the quality of coaching or service demonstrated by the nominee and the overall quality of the nomination submitted by the NGB.
“Team USA’s success is built on the dedication of our coaches and support staff, whose impact extends from youth development to highest levels of sport on the world’s biggest stages,” said Rocky Harris, USOPC chief of sport and athlete services. “Their unwavering commitment not only empowers our athletes but also strengthens each National Governing Bodies and Team USA as a whole. As we celebrate the outstanding achievements of 2024, we proudly recognize the eight individual award winners for their relentless pursuit of excellence in their sport and beyond.”
College Coach of the Year – Patty Gasso
Gasso, an esteemed NFCA Hall of Fame head coach, is in the midst of her 31st season at the helm of Oklahoma Softball. She recently concluded a remarkable run at the 2024 Women’s College World Series (WCWS), where the Sooners achieved their fourth consecutive National Championship, a historic milestone distinguishing them as the only softball program in history to accomplish this feat. In her impressive 30-year tenure, Coach Gasso has secured eight NCAA Division I National Championships and has led her team to 17 appearances in the WCWS. She has consistently guided her team to postseason play each season, boasting an outstanding career record of 1,676 wins, 411 losses, and 3 ties.
Following the 2024 NCAA conference realignment, Coach Gasso completed her successful tenure in the Big 12 as the league’s all-time winningest coach (men and women’s) having claimed 15 regular season conference titles and nine Big 12 Tournament titles. Furthermore, Gasso and her coaching staff have been honored with the Speedline/NFCA National Coaching Staff of the Year award on five occasions, while she herself has received the distinction of Big 12 Coach of the Year 15 times.
Under Gasso’s leadership, the Oklahoma Sooners have won eight National Championships, becoming the first team to secure four consecutive titles, and are one of only three programs in NCAA history with more than two national championships. Gasso has reached the Women’s College World Series (WCWS) 17 times in her career Additionally, 16 athletes have been honored as Big 12 Player of the Year and 9 as Big 12 Pitcher of the Year, with 9 others recognized as Big 12 Freshman of the Year. Academically, 180 Sooners have achieved all-conference honors, and 23 have attained Academic All-American status. Most recently, the 2024 squad was nominated for two ESPY awards: Best Team and Best Play.
Head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Team, Gasso has established herself as a prominent figure in the softball community over the past 30 years, transforming her collegiate program into one of the most respected and dominant in NCAA history. Through her leadership, she has not only advanced the sport of softball but has also played a significant role in breaking barriers within women’s sports.
Service Provider of the Year – Dee Mahoney
An esteemed member of the Indiana Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame (2018), Linda “Dee” Mahoney, exemplifies excellence in athlete care. Recognized for her commitment to cultivating trust with each individual athlete, she customizes her approach to address their specific needs. Mahoney is widely respected for her strategic insights and comprehensive knowledge of sports medicine, employing targeted techniques to optimize performance and recovery for each athlete.
Launching her career with Team USA Para-Track & Field, Mahoney also dedicated 25 years as an athletic trainer at Westfield High School in Colorado. Following her retirement from Westfield, she joined the USA Softball staff, becoming a vital contributor to the team’s recent achievements. Her involvement has been instrumental in many successful campaigns, including the latest 2024 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Women’s World Cup Finals, where the Olympic-level U.S. Women’s National Team (WNT) recorded a commendable silver medal finish. She also played a significant role in the WBSC U-18 Women’s World Cup Group C Event, where the Eagles achieved an impressive undefeated record of 6-0, securing their place in the 2025 World Cup Finals.
A dedicated advocate for the game of softball, Mahoney played at the collegiate level for Oregon State University before embarking on a career in sports medicine. While pursuing her Master of Science degree in Sports Medicine from the University of Miami, Mahoney gained valuable experience working with the Hurricanes football program, which has won three NCAA National Championships.
This selection highlights the dedication of the pair to Team USA ideals and recognizes their excellence in coaching and service. The goal of the USOPC Coach of the Year Program is to elevate the status of coaching as a profession and to honor the best coaches and service providers in the United States. Through their contributions to USA Softball, the staff and the athlete community, these individuals have been identified as leaders who are making a significant impact in the lives of athletes both on and off the field.
To learn more about the USOPC Coach of the Year Program, visit usopc.org.