Commotion Adds Legendary Susie Parra to Coaching Staff

The California Commotion announced the addition of Susie Parra to the team’s coaching staff to launch the inaugural season with the west coast National Pro Fastpitch team. Parra joins Head Coach, Kirk Walker, on the Commotion staff.

The Commotion, in assembling a strong leadership staff, plan to make their mark quickly in the NPF. Parra brings a wealth of success and experience, both as a coach and player, to the staff.

“”I am very honored to be part of the California Commotion and part of this coaching staff,” commented Parra.  “I am excited to be working with Kirk Walker and Deb Hartwig in this venture.  Bringing Professional Softball to California with the Commotion name brings back many memories.  The opportunity that Owner Damon Zumwalt is providing these player is amazing.”

“Susie has a wealth of experiences to draw from,” commented Commotion General Manager, Deb Hartwig.  “She has played and won at the college level, she has played pro in Japan and Italy and she has coached at the college level. We are looking forward her bringing her experiences and will to win to the Commotion.”

Since 2000, Parra has been a consistent teaching presence as an instructor at JustSOFTBALL, a training facility noted nationally and based in southern California. In addition to private training, her coaching resume is punctuated with college experience, first as an Assistant at Cal State Fullerton from 1995 through 2002, and more recently, as Co-Head Coach at Santa Ana Community College 2015-2016.

Parra had a prolific career as a player. Known as an elite and accomplished college player, she was a three-time National Champion while at Arizona, playing for the legendary, Mike Candrea. While at Arizona, Parra was a three-time All American and Pac-10 Player of the Year among many notable accolades.

In 1994, Parra was the Honda Broderick Award winner for the sport of softball. As a member of Team USA that same year, Parra helped the red, white and blue to a World Championship Gold Medal.

Professionally, Parra competed in leagues in Japan and Italy.