Lori Cook has had an incredible career as a softball player and coach and it all began as a freshman at Napa High School when she became the first freshman to make the varsity team as a starting outfielder. In the three years that followed, Cook played on two MEL Championship teams, was captain of one of them, made All-Napa County three times, All-MEL twice and was the Most Valuable Player in the Monticello Empire League as a senior. Cook continued her education and softball career at Napa Valley College, where she was converted to a third baseman and earned All-Bay Valley honors twice, helping to lead her team to conference championships both years she was there. She was Player of the Year in the conference and All-State infielder at the junior college level. Her performance at Napa Valley College earned Cook a scholarship to the University of Nebraska where she continued her outstanding performance for the nationally-ranked Cornhuskers. Cook’s softball days included a year stint in Italy as a professional player and she was one of the first Americans to play in Italy’s top divisional league. Cook’s love of the game also brought her into coaching. She began her career at Cal State Hayward before returning to Napa Valley College, where she helped the team win four consecutive conference titles. Cook also spent time as a coach at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento and Baylor University in Waco, Texas, before reaching her current position as head softball coach at the University of Texas, San Antonio. Cook is a great example of a talented athlete who took advantage of the coaching and teaching she received at Napa High School to go on to a successful playing and coaching career and is a welcome addition to the Napa High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
