OREM, Utah — Utah Valley softball head coach Cody Thomson has announced the promotion of Sam Kukuk to associate head coach. Kukuk is entering her third season at Utah Valley, and has been an assistant coach the last two seasons. 

"The Wolverine softball team will be in great hands with Coach Sam becoming the associate head coach," said Thomson. "I am honored to have Sam right by my side. When I offered her this position, she accepted. She gave me a hug and said, 'Let's go win a WAC championship!'"

"The past two years here at Utah Valley have been absolutely incredible," said Kukuk. "I am so fortunate to be working for one of the best athletic departments in the country. I can't thank Cody Thomson and this entire administration enough for believing in me. This new title represents every single student athlete who has helped shape me into the coach that I am today. I am honored to be a part of this great University. The future is very bright here at UVU, and I am so excited for what's next!"

Kukuk is entering her ninth year of collegiate coaching. Her career began at San Diego State in 2015, where she was a volunteer assistant. She then went on to be a graduate assistant at CSU Bakersfield from 2016-18, during which the Roadrunners were members of the WAC. Kukuk then coached at Cal State East Bay from 2018-21 before joining Thomson's staff in the summer of 2021.  

Kukuk attended national power UCLA and was a four-year letterwinner for the Bruins from 2011-15. Kukuk was a part of four NCAA Regional and two NCAA Super Regional teams, including during her senior season in 2015. That UCLA squad advanced to the Women's College World Series, where Kukuk scored a run in the Bruins' win over Oregon in their opening game.

A native of Whittier, California, Kukuk obtained an undergraduate degree from UCLA in political science and later earned a master's degree in public policy and administration from CSU Bakersfield.