Val Silvestrini

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Val Silvestrini is in her second season as the head softball coach at Florida Tech.

She came to the institution from the University of North Florida where she was the assistant coach for the Ospreys the last two years. While there, she assisted in all facets of the program and helped lead UNF to consecutive winning seasons, finishing sixth of 11 schools in the Atlantic Sun Conference standings each of the last two years.

Prior to her stint at UNF, Silvestrini served as an assistant coach at Charleston Southern University and at Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, Georgia, where she earned her Master of Science degree in sports medicine. She completed her bachelor’s degree in physical education teaching and coaching from ISEF N° 1 “Dr. Enrique Romero Brest” in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

“I’m thrilled about the opportunity to lead the Panther softball program in one of the best Division II conferences in the country,” said Silvestrini. “Florida Tech is a great school with outstanding leadership. I’m eager to begin this journey.”

In addition to her coaching experience, Silvestrini is also a certified strength and conditioning specialist from the National Strength and Conditioning Association. During her tenure at AASU, she coached five Peach Belt all-conference players, four conference Players of the Week and one NFCA National Player of the Week. In 2006, the team finished 23rd in the NFCA Division II national rankings.

At UNF during the 2008 season, the Lady Ospreys broke the single season record for home runs with 50 and set a new school record for wins as a Division I program with 39. In the last two years, Silvestrini has guided North Florida to a 66-48 record for a .727 winning percentage. Six of her student-athletes were honored as All-Atlantic Sun players and four were named players of the week. Her responsibilities included planning softball and strength and conditioning practices, coaching the team during practices and games, coordinating recruiting, organizing team travel and supervising academic development of the student-athletes. She also served as Interim Head Coach at UNF for three months in the summer of 2008.

During her athletic career, Silvestrini played for the Argentinean National Team from 1998-2007 and served as captain from 2005 until she retired. She participated in several international tournaments, including the Pan-American and South American Championships and Games. During her stint on Division I teams in Argentina and Spain, she was named Player of the Year, Best Hitter and Best Defensive Player on numerous occasions.

While playing for Armstrong Atlantic as a senior, she hit .410 for the season and was tabbed an All-Conference, All-Region and All-Tournament Outfielder. Silvestrini is currently in the top three in three different offensive categories for single season records at AASU, including second in hits (73), third in batting average (.410) and second in runs scored (49).