The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) announced that Florida Gator Coach Karen Johns is one of 12 coaches to form the USA Softball Women's National Team Coaches Pool through the 2004 Olympic Games.

Johns was selected along with 11 other coaches from some of the nation's perennial elite programs. The other selections are Mike Candrea (Arizona), Ken Eriksen (South Florida) Patti Gasso (Oklahoma), Michele Gromacki (Cal State-Fullerton), Eugene Lenti (DePaul), Jay Miller (Missouri), Pat Murphy (Alabama), John Rittman (Stanford), Kirk Walker (Oregon State), Linda Wells (Arizona State) and Teresa Wilson (Washington).

"I feel very blessed and honored to be asked to help in getting our team ready for 2004," Johns said. "It is a privilege to be named in the same circle with coaches such as Mike Candrea, Teresa Wilson and Eugene Lenti. I feel an even greater sense of pleasure for Pat Murphy and Michelle Gromacki, both of whom I consider great coaches, great friends and outstanding people. I could list any of the other eleven coaches and know that I am truly, truly blessed. As a group of 12 coaches, we will take the responsibility of representing our country and preparing our teams to win gold medals, very seriously. I only hope to do my part."

The coaches will participate in the USA Softball Women's National Team Camp May 30-June 3rd in Chula Vista, Calif. They also will be eligible for selection to such important coaching assignments as the 2001 U.S. Cup in Hawaii, 2001 Canada Cup in Vancouver, the 2002 ISF Women's World Championship in Canada, the 2003 Pan American Games in Santo Domingo and the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

Johns is in her first season as head coach at UF. The Gators have a 31-17 overall and 11-10 Southeastern Conference record, and are contenders for the Eastern Division title. Johns previously served five seasons as an assistant coach at the Alabama, where she helped lead the Tide to its first NCAA Women's College World Series appearance. Also during her tenure there, the Tide captured the 1998 SEC Tournament title and made its first NCAA Regional appearance in 1999.

As a collegiate player at South Carolina, Johns was a two-time All-America selection and a three-time All-South Region selection as a catcher. Following her standout career at South Carolina, Johns took her talents to the international level and lead her teams to gold medals in several events.

While with USA Softball, Johns captured gold medals at the 1990 and 1994 ISF Women's World Championships, the 1994 South Pacific Classic and the 1995 Pan American Games. In 1989 and 1990, she led her team to a gold medal at the U.S. Olympic Festivals.