March 7, 2000

LUBBOCK, Texas - The Red Raiders fastpitch softball team has a new full-time assistant coach. Ruben Felix, who had been on the coaching staff as a volunteer assistant, was promoted to the full time position last week. Felix steps in to help fill the void created when head assistant Carla Marchetti was named interim head coach on February 23.

"Adding Ruben on to the staff will be a valuable addition for us," Marchetti said. "He has valuable pitching experience at the college and professional level and can relate to our staff. He's been with us all season and should fill in nicely in his new role."

Felix pitched for Lubbock Christian University where he was an all-conference and all-region selection in 1992 and worked last season as a volunteer assistant coach for the Red Raider's baseball team. He played minor league baseball for five seasons (1994-1998) with various teams including the Lubbock Crickets and with the Beliot Snappers Single A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. Additionally, Felix has played alongside former major league stars Fernando Valenzuela and Teddy Higuera, as well as current major league stars F.P. Santangelo, Juan Castro and Shane Andrews.

"I'm excited and thankful for the opportunity to be a full-time coach on this staff," Felix said. "We have some good talent on this team and I'm glad I can be a part of it."