Cal Poly announced on April 15 that it will retire Lisa Modglin’s No. 22 jersey before the softball team’s doubleheader against Long Beach State on Saturday, April 18. The ceremony will honor Modglin, a former NFCA All-America selection and Cal Poly Athletics Hall of Famer, for her achievements both on and off the field.
Modglin’s jersey retirement is only the second in program history, joining All-America pitcher Desarie Knipfer’s No. 8. The recognition comes nearly two decades after Modglin set several school and conference records during her time as a Mustang.
Jenny Condon, Cal Poly’s head coach for the past twenty-two years, said, “We’re thrilled to retire Lisa’s jersey. Her impact on this program and to me was incredible. Her numbers speak for themselves, but there’s so much more to Lisa than numbers. Her speed and instinct made her an excellent center fielder and baserunner. She’s one of the best leadoff hitters we’ve had in our program, setting the tone for every game and her teammates followed.”
Reflecting on her journey to Cal Poly from Simi Valley High School, Modglin said she was not highly recruited due to her size but prioritized academics alongside athletics: “I wanted to play softball in college… I had it in my head I wanted to go to school by the beach and to a school that put an emphasis on academics… I told my dad my (priorities) and he said ‘you should go to Cal Poly.’”
During her senior season in 2007, Modglin posted a .476 batting average—a Big West single-season record—and led or broke multiple other records including hits (81), home runs (16), runs scored (56), total bases (157), extra-base hits (37), and slugging percentage (.924). Her performance prompted USA Softball to change its policy regarding National Player of the Year finalists.
Condon credited Modglin with helping transform Cal Poly softball: “Off the field, Lisa was a big part of my success at Cal Poly… They were trusting and patient with me as I grew as a first-time head coach… Her love for Cal Poly helped us recruit great players that continued to make us better.”
After graduating with a degree in business administration in June 2007, Modglin played professionally with teams such as New England Riptide and Akron Racers while beginning her career at Caliber Accounting & Tax. She later moved near Denver where she continues working as an accountant.
Looking back at being honored by Cal Poly again nearly twenty years after graduation, Modglin said: “It’s hard to think about it, to put it into context… All the things that have happened since, I’m just really proud. I’m proud to be part of Cal Poly… It’s just such a special place to me and—to be memorialized there—is unique.”
