Titan Memories: Ashley Van Boxmeer – Angel in the Outfield

1/4/2025 7:01:00 PM | By: Kirk San Roman

Standing at 5'10" while patrolling the Fullerton outfield from 2005 through 2007, Ashley Van Boxmeer was an offensive powerhouse and a strong defensive presence. Despite only playing three seasons for the Titans, following her transfer from the University of New Mexico, Ashely still places in the CSUF career top-five in four offensive categories.

Born in Buffalo, New York, where her father, John, was then a player for the Buffalo Sabers, and would go on to enjoy an 11-year NHL career with four different clubs. He would later serve as head coach for the Long Beach Ice Dogs, and as an assistant coach with the L.A. Kings, among other assignments.

The family moved to Orange (Calif.) when Ashley was 11-years-old. The tall, athletic teenager played volleyball and softball at El Modena High School, and club softball for Tony Rico and the Firecrackers, based out of Huntington Beach. Both softball programs helped to give her the skills and experience needed to excel at the college level.

After blowing out her ACL during her junior year in high school, Van Boxmeer saw her college recruiting opportunities dwindle. Van Boxmeer eventually accepted an offer to attend the University of New Mexico. According to Ashley: "UNM (Albuquerque) was an amazing college town, with a strong community backing their sports programs. It was never on my radar of places that I was interested in, but I really had a connection to it and decided to give it a go. Unfortunately, shortly after I committed, the head coach retired. I was still willing to honor my commitment and give the new staff a shot, but it just wasn't the same, so I made the decision to leave after my freshman year."

After thinking long and hard, Ashley chose to return to Orange County to live and continue her softball career. "Fullerton had a very strong program. I remember watching them and loving the way Coach Gromacki ran the team. She was a strong, passionate leader that held the players accountable, and demanded perfection. That is exactly what I needed and wanted in a coach."

Unluckily, Van Boxmeer blew out her other ACL during the summer following her transfer, and was eventually awarded a medical redshirt year for 2004, so as not to lose any eligibility.

Starting in 2005, "Box" became a force for the Titans, batting .304 in her three years, and bashing 32 home runs, and knocking in 90 runs during her Fullerton career. CSUF would go on to compete in the postseason NCAA softball tournament in each of her three seasons.

When asked where her power came from, Van Boxmeer answered analytically like the coach that she is: "I think, obviously, genetics gave me an advantage by being tall, with long levers and a strong body. But, ultimately, I think I was just really competitive. I never stepped into the box trying to hit home runs. It was always a battle between me and the pitcher, and I was not going to lose. I wanted to do damage every time I swung the bat, and be a tough out."

When asked about some personal softball highlights from her career at Cal State Fullerton, Ashley responded, "My entire career at Fullerton was a highlight. I loved every minute of being a Titan; from the 6:00 a.m. weights, to the end of practice gassers. I wouldn't have changed one thing."

Advancing to the NCAA Super Regional in 2007 was a particular highlight that Ashley remembered. After a hard-fought series against the University of Arizona in Tucson, the Titans would eventually fall to the Wildcats, who would go on to be crowned national champions at the Women's College World Series.

Among Van Boxmeer's other favorite memories was the camaraderie that she shared with her teammates. "We were all so close and connected. I honestly loved our bus trips. We always had some sort of prank planned out, or funny story to tell at the end of the trip, like Gromacki getting locked in the bathroom, or hiding Monica Tantlinger in the overhead compartments. Those are definitely among the top two. We just had so much fun. But once we were on the field, it was all business, and we put in the work."

According to teammate, Courtney Martinez, the current associate head coach at the University of Utah: "I was fortunate enough to play alongside 'Ash' for two years. She was one of the most loyal and competitive teammates that I had during my time at CSUF. 'Ash' has always been a unifying force for our program.

"Now, as a college coach, I've had the opportunity to watch her develop and mentor young women, helping to shape the next stars and potential All-Americans in our sport. I am grateful to call her my teammate and lifelong friend."

In addition to recognizing coach Gromacki's influence on her Titan career, Ashley added: "Ken Ravizza would deserve a big thank you. That man completely transformed my mental approach to the game, and was a huge piece to the team's success. Working with him for three years was truly a blessing and something I will never forget. I actually still have my current players read his book, "Heads-Up Baseball" as a team, and we go through each chapter together."

Ravizza, was one of the innovators and leading lights in sports psychology, and was inducted into the Titan Athletics Hall of Fame in 2021.

During her time with the Titans, Ashley was also a part of the Canadian national softball program, choosing to retire in 2007. Van Boxmeer sort of fell into coaching. "I was just giving lessons in Kansas City (Mo.) and one of my student's dads had called me saying that their head coach had to move for his job, and asked if I would finish out the season with the team? I did, and the rest is history. Never did I think I would be where I am at now, but I am loving every minute of it."

Ashley lives in Kansas City, and is busy with all things softball: "I own a softball academy where we offer private and small group instruction, called Softball KC (www.softballkc.com). I am also the area director for the Sluggers club organization, where I coach youth softball, and basically help to grow the organization in the Midwest area."

Former Titan head coach Michelle Gromacki had this to say: "Ashley is a passionate person. She has a passion for success, a passion to lead, and she is a great coach and mentor. She is teaching young women to be leaders, and sending them to colleges with softball scholarships. It's been so rewarding to watch Ashley become a great role model for women athletes."

Honors