| Gina Fuchs |
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gfuchs@athletics.pitt.edu
Gina Fuchs begins her eighth season as a member of the Pitt coaching staff. She oversees the outfield and also instructs base running and slap hitting fundamentals.
The Panthers recent success in stolen bases can be attributed to Fuchs, as she has guided Pitt's baserunners to several school records the past few seasons. In 2011, the Panthers were third in the Big East with 79 stolen bases. Additionally, Fuchs was instrumental in the Panthers scoring 236 runs, which eclipsed the previous 2006 school record.
Fuchs played a large role in the success of slap-hitting outfielder Ashley Amistade. The recent graduate hit .321 last season and led the Big East with 27 stolen bases. Amistade also set a school record with 73 bags swiped in her four years.
Another graduating senior, Reba Tutt, set both the single-season and career runs scored marks under Fuchs' guidance. Tutt's 47 runs in 2011 ranked fourth in the Big East. Her runs per game total was also 47th in the nation. Another noteworthy stat is Tutt's 69 stolen bases during her career, ranked second-best in Pitt history.
With Fuchs assistance, Tutt stole 26 bases as a freshman in 2008, which shattered the rookie record and was one bag shy of the single-season standard.
In 2010, Fuchs aided Amistade's success in leading the Panthers with a .320 batting average. A then-career high for the slap hitter, she also scored a team-high 31 runs, with 12 stolen bases.
Pitt has set the team record for stolen bases three of the last five years, which started when both Sheena Hellon and Morgan Howard set season and career standards for stolen bases in 2007.
Prior to Pitt, Fuchs served as a manager and head fitness trainer at "It Figures" in Pottstown, Pa. In that position, she was in charge of all operations of the women's fitness facility, including marketing and sales to scheduling and hiring.
Fuchs also worked as a sports performance trainer for Aspiring Champions in King of Prussia, Pa. She coached and instructed elite athletes in all aspects of sports performance, such as power development, strength training, nutrition and conditioning.
Fuchs is a 2003 graduate of Penn State with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology and an exercise science emphasis. While at Penn State, she earned many awards and honors for her performance on the field. She was a two-time team captain (2002-03), two-time first team All-Big Ten honoree (2000, 2002), a three-time academic All-Big Ten recipient (2000, 2002 & 2003). In addition, Fuchs broke Nittany Lion career records for stolen bases, hits, runs scored and games played.
Fuchs and her husband Dan live in Baldwin.