As Texas Tech softball makes its historic debut in the finale of the 2025 Women’s College World Series, the moment carries an emotional weight far beyond the field.
For head coach Gerry Glasco, this milestone is deeply intertwined with the memory of his late daughter, Geri Ann Glasco, whose life and legacy continue to resonate within the softball community.
Geri Ann, a standout athlete and rising coach, died tragically in a car accident in 2019 at the age of 24. A native of Watkinsville, Georgia, and graduate of Oconee County High School, she was an extraordinary talent and person, remembered not only for her achievements on the field but for her warm spirit and deep love for the game.
Her influence endures — evident in the tribute by Oklahoma pitcher Sam Landry, who wore Geri Ann’s name on her glove during the WCWS matchup against Texas Tech on June 2.
Before her untimely passing, Geri Ann had already made a mark in softball. She began her collegiate playing career at Georgia, where her father was then an assistant coach, and later transferred to Oregon, where she capped off a strong career with a 47-15 record and 3.01 ERA.
She had coaching stints with the National Pro Fastpitch League and as a student assistant at Oregon before joining her father’s staff at Louisiana-Lafayette in 2018.
In high school, Geri Ann’s impact was historic. A four-time all-state selection, she was named the 2012 Gatorade National Player of the Year and helped Oconee County capture two state titles — one in her freshman year, the other in her senior year, when she posted a staggering 19-0 pitching record and hit .562 with 24 home runs and 62 RBIs.
She left behind state records in home runs, doubles, RBIs, and hits. Oconee County retired her No. 12 jersey in 2019 — the same number Texas Tech now wears as a badge of honor.
Coach Gerry Glasco has openly shared how signs of Geri Ann’s presence have continued to appear throughout Texas Tech’s championship run. “The night of the drawing, Tara [his eldest daughter and Texas Tech assistant coach] said, ‘If we get to the 12th seed you know we’ll go to the World Series. I bet we get the 12th seed,’” Glasco recalled.
“Sure enough, it comes up on TV. She said, ‘I told you. We’re going to the World Series.’ We got the 12 seed, which was Geri Ann’s number. Then we go to Arizona, and I realize I’m in Room 112. And it’s a huge hotel. Things like that have happened — she’s been with us.”
Sam Landry, now a pitcher for Oklahoma, shared her own connection with Geri Ann. “I met Geri Ann while she was a volunteer coach at Louisiana under Coach Glasco. I got to spend time with her before she passed away,” Landry said. “She was amazing. When I got here, No. 12 was taken, so I got it on my glove. It was important to me — to carry her with me.”
Geri Ann’s legacy is not just preserved in stats or jerseys — it lives in the hearts of players, coaches, and fans who saw in her a model of talent, grace, and perseverance. As Texas Tech chases its first national title under her father’s leadership, it’s clear that Geri Ann remains a guiding light on this unforgettable journey.
