Upcoming Event: Softball versus Phoenix College on October 6, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
Softball
6:30 p.m.
vs Phoenix College
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Rodgers rejoins Lopes as Director of Player Development
7/21/2026 1:00:00 PM | Softball
2-time conference champion returns to GCU in new role
Grand Canyon softball added former Lopes outfielder Kayla Rodgers to its staff in a new program role as Director of Player Development.
Rodgers, a career .352 hitter at GCU in 2023 and 2024, won a conference tournament title and appeared in the NCAA Tournament in each of her GCU seasons e 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 program in southern California. She earned a spot on a National Fastpitch Coaches Association all-region first team, hitting just under .400 and winning PacWest Newcomer of the Year. Over the past year, Rodgers completed her master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and interned 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 Hays' GCU staff that also incudes assistant coaches Hunter Hays and Jayme Bailey, pitching coach Kat Frakes and director of operations Sandra Wente.
Rodgers, a career .352 hitter at GCU in 2023 and 2024, won a conference tournament title and appeared in the NCAA Tournament in each of her GCU seasons e 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 program in southern California. She earned a spot on a National Fastpitch Coaches Association all-region first team, hitting just under .400 and winning PacWest Newcomer of the Year. Over the past year, Rodgers completed her master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and interned 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 Hays' GCU staff that also incudes assistant coaches Hunter Hays and Jayme Bailey, pitching coach Kat Frakes and director of operations Sandra Wente.
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