TUCSON, Ariz. -- In its pursuit of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the Israel Softball Association has announced its all-Arizona alumnae coaching staff, headlined by current UA Director of Recruiting-Operations
Stacy Iveson as its head coach, the Israeli Softball Association announced on Thursday.
"I am honored to be able to be a part of Israel Softball," said Iveson. "To be able to grow the sport globally and to help bring a passion for the game to young players around the world is an opportunity of a lifetime."
Iveson's staff will include former Wildcat standouts Debby Day and Lisa Bernstein.
Iveson has extensive coaching experience, including two stints as an assistant coach at Arizona under Candrea totaling 13 seasons. She also served as head coach in the NJCAA ranks, winning four national titles with Pima College (2004, 2006) and Yavapai College (2009, 2011) and has experience in the national team coaching ranks, assisting USA Softball for six seasons. Iveson played at Arizona from 1986-89.
Day, who has served as the head coach at Cal Lutheran University for the last 16 seasons, was a two-time All-American during her two seasons at Arizona (1991-1992) and helped lead Arizona to its first national championship in 1991. She was inducted into the Arizona Athletics Hall of Fame in 1997.
Bernstein, who formerly served as the head coach at the University of Minnesota (1991-2010) and as an assistant coach at Arizona (1986-1991), was a two-time all-conference player at Arizona, where she played from 1982-1986. She serves as the current Camp Director for Candrea's Camps.
Team Israel also announced the first half of its roster, including a pair of current Wildcats: left-handed pitcher Vanessa Foreman (Lakewood, Calif.) and pitcher/designated player Tamara Statman (Scottsdale, Ariz.). In order to play for Israel, the players are required to have at least one Jewish parent or grandparent and must travel to Israel to receive dual citizenship.
The team will compete at the European Championships during the summer of 2019 in hopes of qualifying for the 2020 Olympics and becoming the first team from Israel to qualify for the Olympics since 1968.
