Lauren Foster Joins Penn State Softball as Assistant Coach
Lauren Foster to Happy Valley
Today Coach Clarisa Crowell and the Penn State Nittany Lions softball program announced the hiring of Lauren Foster as an assistant coach. Foster, a former Wisconsin Badger, has spent time at the University of Oklahoma as a graduate assistant and most recently at UT Arlington as an assistant coach.
Crowell on Foster’s Hiring
“We are delighted to welcome Coach Foster to our Penn State family,” Crowell said. “She will bring great passion and enthusiasm to our team, and her commitment to developing players both on and off the field directly aligns with the mission of our program. She is a defensive enthusiast, and I am excited for her to get to work with our defense. In addition, Coach Foster will bring a wealth of knowledge to our program, having learned from some of the most elite coaches in our industry, as she was a part of the University of Oklahoma’s national championship teams in 2023 and 2024. As a former student-athlete at the University of Wisconsin, she is very familiar with the Big Ten Conference, and we are thrilled to welcome her back to the B1G and to Happy Valley.”
Foster’s Playing Career
As a Wisconsin Badger, Foster played five seasons and made her mark as both a hitter and defender. She finished her career with nine home runs, 110 hits, 62 runs scored, and 66 RBIs. Along the way she tallied 31 doubles and five triples.
Defensively, Lauren Foster anchored the infield at shortstop with 588 career putouts and 347 assists while posting a .954 fielding percentage.
Foster’s Excitement to Join Penn State
“I am honored to be joining the Penn State softball program,” Foster said. “I have always had respect for Penn State and Coach Crowell from playing against them in the Big Ten during my playing career. Now, getting the chance to be a part of this program’s future is something I am truly excited for. I cannot wait to get to work and continue to build upon the success of Penn State softball. Thank you to Coach Crowell and Penn State University for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this program.”
Foster will look to develop Penn State’s defense even more, and improve on their .957 fielding percentage and 13 double plays turned from the 2025 season. Foster helped guide UTA to a .964 fielding percentage last season, leading a defense that finished with the second most double plays in the Western Athletic Conference with 23, and ranked second in double plays per game at 0.47.
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Quotes Courtesy of: Penn State University Athletics
