FULLERTON, Calif. – In August, Cal State Fullerton head softball coach Kelly Ford announced the addition of Claire Sua-Amundson to the coaching staff and www.FullertonTitans.com, caught up with the newly appointed assistant coach to gain insight into her background and her goals for the future success of the Titans.

The next chance Titan fans will have to watch the softball team will be the two-day Cal State Fullerton Fall Tournament on Friday and Saturday. Fullerton will host its first contest of the tournament against Allan Hancock at 5 p.m., at Anderson Family Field on Friday. Fall Schedule 

Q&A with Claire Sua-Amundson

FullertonTitans.com: Following your tenure at Stanford as an associate head coach, what factored into your decision to join the coaching staff at Cal State Fullerton? 
Claire Sua-Amundson: Cal State Fullerton softball has made some big strides in the last few years in building the program into a national contender.  Our location, facilities and ability to attract top student-athletes really appealed to me as a coach.  I believe we have all the resources to put Fullerton softball back on the map and compete for a national title. Those are things that were really important to me when looking at where my next step was going to be as a coach. 

FullertonTitans.com: You've had extensive postseason experience both as a coach with the Cardinal and as a successful student-athlete at UCLA including a pair of national championships as a Bruin. How will you use the championship and Pac-12 experience to influence the up and coming Titan softball program?
Claire Sua-Amundson: I really enjoy every opportunity I have to share my experiences as a player and a coach with my student-athletes.  We have been working on executing in those pressure situations and trying to emulate that feeling of the postseason so they are better prepared. I also stress simply working hard no matter how good or bad they did the day before. I am true believer that if you put the work in you will see the payoff. 

FullertonTitans.com: You're no stranger to the Big West Conference as you've also logged five seasons as an assistant coach with the Cal Poly Mustangs. What are your thoughts on returning to the conference?
Claire Sua-Amundson: The Big West Conference is really different from when I coached five years ago. I've definitely seen big growth in the offensive prowess throughout the conference. Every team can swing it, so what really separates the teams that advance to the post season from the ones that don't is the pitching and defense. 

FullertonTitans.com: Head Coach Kelly Ford mentions your elite perspective on offense as one of your greatest assets. How would you describe your coaching style and how do you plan on applying this type of mindset to the 2015 Titans?
Claire Sua-Amundson: I look at every time we step on the field as a chance to get better and I'm the type of coach that does not like to waste that opportunity. I like to be very clear to my student-athletes as to what we are working on and why. This way they understand exactly what they need to do and how they can get there.  Every student-athlete has their strengths and weakness and my goal is make them the best hitter they are capable of being. I do not believe in "cookie cutting" the hitters because we are all different. I believe every great hitter in our game does some key things really well and we focus on those things when we break down hitting so there is consistency.

FullertonTitans.com: Any thoughts on your new home facility of Anderson Family Field and the surrounding campus?
Claire Sua-Amundson: It's just awesome to be in a facility where you get the full college softball experience. I am grateful that our student-athletes have the opportunity to compete in one of the best facilities on the west coast.  The batting cages and the stadium, all of it is top notch. 

FullertonTitans.com: What do you consider your greatest success?
Claire Sua-Amundson: As a student-athlete it would be winning back-to-back national championships as a Bruin. On a personal level, my son Michael is my greatest success. 

FullertonTitans.com: Who do you count on as your mentor(s)?
Claire Sua-Amundson: My sister (former UCLA thrower, USA Olympian, and UCLA Hall of Famer), my dad and my former UCLA coach Sue Enquist. 

10 Fun Questions

FullertonTitans.com: What's the most played song on your iPod?
Claire Sua-Amundson: Love never felt so good by Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake.

FullertonTitans.com: Do you have a favorite quote or motto you live by?
Claire Sua-Amundson: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did but people will never forget how you made them feel" – Maya Angelou. 

FullertonTitans.com: If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet?
Claire Sua-Amundson: Oprah Winfrey. 

Claire Sua-Amundson: Instagram on the iPhone.

FullertonTitans.com: Do you love or hate rollercoasters? 
Claire Sua-Amundson: Hate.

FullertonTitans.com: What are your some of your favorite movies?
Claire Sua-Amundson: Something's Gotta Give, It's Complicated and The Chef.

FullertonTitans.com: What was your favorite subject in school?
Claire Sua-Amundson: History.