GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.— Colorado Mesa University head softball coach Ben Garcia announced his resignation on Thursday to take a similar position at NCAA Division I University of Northern Colorado.
 
Garcia had been with the Mavericks for the past four seasons leading the Mavericks to a 169-49 (.775) combined record.  They have also won the last three Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference regular season titles and a back-to-back of RMAC Tournament crowns while qualifying for the NCAA South Central Regional Tournament in each of the past three years.
 
In 2018, the Mavericks went 48-5 overall and garnered the No. 1 National Ranking in the NFCA Poll, a spot they held for seven consecutive weeks eventually earning the right to host a NCAA regional. He was named the RMAC Coach of the Year for the second time and helped the team achieve numerous RMAC statistical records. 

Prior to coming to CMU he served as the head coach at Otero Junior College for three seasons.. He posted a 143-42 mark at Otero including a pair of Region IX Championships in 2013 and 2014. He also coached 22 all-region members, 23 academic Region IX honorees and one All-American. 

Garcia was also highly successful at the high school rankings winning over 400 games in 21 years as head coach at Pueblo East. He led the Eagles to 19 state tournament appearances, including the state title in 2012 and four runner-up appearances. He was named the Colorado Coach of the Year in 2012.