Completed Event: Softball at Colorado State on May 2, 2026 , Win , 11, to, 2 , (5 inn.)
Softball
at Colorado State
W 11-2
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Rodgers rejoins Lopes as Director of Player Development
7/21/2026 1:00:00 PM | Softball
Two-time conference champ returns to GCU in new role
Grand Canyon softball has added former Lopes outfielder Kayla Rodgers to the staff in a new role for the program as the Director of Player Development.
Rodgers, a career .352 hitter in her two seasons at GCU in 2023 and 2024, won a pair of conference tournament titles and appeared in the NCAA Tournament with GCU in both seasons under head coach Shanon Hays.
"We are thrilled to be able to add Kayla to our staff," Hays said. "Kayla played a huge role as a player and leader, helping us build our program here. She was a fantastic outfielder and she will be responsible for helping develop the young, talented group of outfielders we have coming in."
After her two seasons in Phoenix, Rodgers finished her collegiate career at Concordia, a Division II school in southern California. She was an NFCA First Team All-Region player, hitting just under .400 and winning PacWest Newcomer of the Year. The past year Rodgers finished up her master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and has been interning as a student counselor.
"As a former student-athlete who had the privilege of playing at GCU for two years, this place significantly shaped who I am personally and spiritually," Rodgers said. "Returning to the program in a coaching role is an incredible honor and I am grateful and excited for the opportunity to work with these student-athletes."
Rodgers joins Hunter Hays, Jayme Hays, Kat Frakes and Sandra Wente on the staff led by Shanon Hays.
Rodgers, a career .352 hitter in her two seasons at GCU in 2023 and 2024, won a pair of conference tournament titles and appeared in the NCAA Tournament with GCU in both seasons under head coach Shanon Hays.
"We are thrilled to be able to add Kayla to our staff," Hays said. "Kayla played a huge role as a player and leader, helping us build our program here. She was a fantastic outfielder and she will be responsible for helping develop the young, talented group of outfielders we have coming in."
After her two seasons in Phoenix, Rodgers finished her collegiate career at Concordia, a Division II school in southern California. She was an NFCA First Team All-Region player, hitting just under .400 and winning PacWest Newcomer of the Year. The past year Rodgers finished up her master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and has been interning as a student counselor.
"As a former student-athlete who had the privilege of playing at GCU for two years, this place significantly shaped who I am personally and spiritually," Rodgers said. "Returning to the program in a coaching role is an incredible honor and I am grateful and excited for the opportunity to work with these student-athletes."
Rodgers joins Hunter Hays, Jayme Hays, Kat Frakes and Sandra Wente on the staff led by Shanon Hays.
Tuesday, June 09
Thursday, May 21
Monday, May 18
Sunday, May 17