Christine Hipa enters her first season as the Head Coach with the Tigers after joining the Occidental College coaching staff in the fall of 2023.
Transitioning seamlessly from player to coach, Hipa embarked on her coaching journey in 2019 as an Assistant Coach for Taft College, where she played a pivotal role in guiding the Cougars through unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the mentorship of Head Coach Gabrielle Brixey, Hipa honed her coaching acumen, demonstrating a keen understanding of the game and a dedication to the holistic development of her players.
After Taft, Christine Hipa brought a wealth of experience and a deep-rooted passion for softball to the professional realm, joining the CSU Bakersfield softball coaching staff as an Assistant Coach in the summer of 2021. With a focus on developing elite hitters and infielders, Hipa's extensive background as both a standout athlete and coach positioned her as a valuable asset to the Roadrunner program.
A distinguished alumna of CSU Bakersfield, Hipa graduated in 2019 after leaving an indelible mark on the university's Division I softball history. During her time as a student-athlete, Hipa demonstrated exceptional versatility and skill, earning recognition as one of the program's most decorated players. Her commitment to excellence both on and off the field was evident as she balanced rigorous academic pursuits with athletic achievements.
Throughout her illustrious career at CSU Bakersfield, Hipa showcased her versatility and adaptability, contributing to the team's success across multiple positions and playing a pivotal role in securing notable achievements, including the 2016 Western Athletic Conference Softball Tournament championship and the program's inaugural NCAA Tournament appearance at the Division I level. Her remarkable statistical accomplishments placed her among the program's elite, with numerous top rankings in key categories, including assists (364, 1st), home runs (15, 3rd), total bases (209, 4th), slugging percentage (.429, 4th), and triples (5, 5th).
Beyond her athletic prowess, Hipa's commitment to academic excellence was evident through her consistent recognition as an Academic All-Conference honoree throughout her collegiate career, underscoring her dedication to excellence both on and off the field.
Now, as a member of the Occidental College coaching staff, Hipa continues to inspire the next generation of student-athletes, instilling in them the values of hard work, perseverance, and teamwork that have defined her own journey in the world of softball. Hipa is excited to bring her wealth of experience to Oxy and is eager to continue to grow and instill lifelong lessons through softball. She is thrilled to be a part of something bigger and to make an impact on the softball team, athletics, Occidental, and the community at large. With her passion for the game and her proven track record of success, Hipa is poised to make a lasting and positive impact in her new role.
