STORRS—Since the end of the spring college softball season, the University of Connecticut softball program has added a pair of assistant coaches to its roster.
Giselle Juarez joined the Huskies back in June while Ashley Buschgans was tabbed in August.
Buschgans began her collegiate coaching career at UConn in 2023 as the volunteer assistant on staff. She helped lead the Huskies to a BIG EAST regular season title and a 34-15 overall record.
“I am beyond excited to be back at the University of Connecticut,” said Buschgans. “I cannot wait to be a part of the culture and competitive atmosphere and am grateful for the opportunity to get to learn from this great coaching staff.”
Prior to her time as the volunteer assistant, Buschgans served as the team manager for the program. She was responsible for preparing and analyzing opposing team’s film and tracking statistical data during practices and games along with several other duties.
Buschgans, who is originally from Waldwick, N.J.m, attended Waldwick High School where she was a four year varsity letter winner for softball, basketball, and soccer. As a softball player, she was a four-time First Team All-League player in her conference and a two-time Second Team All-County honoree.
Buschgans has also assisted in coaching for her high school since 2020 while giving private softball lessons in New Jersey. She continues to grow the game by volunteering to teach Stafford Little League softball players as well as volunteering for camps in her home state of New Jersey.
Buschgans is coming from William Paterson where she spent last season as an assistant coach under Jessica Jacobson, a former assistant coach under Valentino at UConn. Buschgans primarily oversaw the defense for the Pioneers in 2024.
“I am thrilled to welcome back Ashley Buschgans to our coaching staff,” said UConn head coach Laura Valentino. “Ashley’s loyalty, commitment, and driven mindset will make an immediate impact on our staff. I cannot wait to see her grow as a coach and contribute to our championship culture.”
Juarez joins the Huskies program after spending this past year as a graduate assistant at the University of Oklahoma, assisting the Sooners to their fourth national championship in a row.
“I’m so excited that Giselle is joining our UConn Softball family,” said Valentino. “Giselle will bring a championship mindset along with her national championship experiences as both a player and a coach. She is extremely selfless, resilient and an incredible role model for the young women she coaches. I can’t wait to see her develop, influence, and impact our current pitching staff and the future of our program!”
Before her time at Oklahoma as a graduate assistant, Juarez served as an assistant coach with the Birmingham Thunderbolts from 2022 to 2023.
“I am incredibly grateful and honored by Coach Valentino for the opportunity to join UConn’s exceptional softball program,” said Juarez. “I eagerly look forward to supporting our players’ growth and contributing to the tradition of excellence, competitiveness, and supportive environment that define UConn.”
Juarez earned her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Oklahoma in 2021 where she played three seasons for NFCA Hall of Fame coach, Patty Gasso. In the circle, Juarez helped lead the Sooners to a national championship in 2021 where she earned Most Outstanding Player honors in the 2021 Women’s College World Series.
Juarez started her playing career at Arizona State in 2017 before transferring to Oklahoma after her sophomore year in 2019. A two time NFCA First Team All-American (2018, 2019), and former BIG 12 Pitcher of the Year (2019), Juarez enjoyed a fruitful playing career holding an astounding career record of 85-19 in the circle with 823 career strikeouts in over 635 innings pitched.
(The University of Connecticut Athletic Communications Department contributed highly to this report).
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