D1Mountain West

Very Competitive

Grand Canyon Softball

Grand Canyon University · Antelopes

Mountain West · Phoenix, AZ

Strong ProgramRPI #27Grads earn $42K/yr

$17K

In-state tuition

Up to 25

Scholarships

allowed under 2025 roster-limit rules (funding varies by program)

43%

Graduation rate

Room & board: $11K

NCAA Tournament 5 of last 5 years

2023-2024 data via IPEDS

Grand Canyon softball at a glance

Where the program sits and what a year here costs. How athletic aid works in D1.

Conference level: High Major
In the job since: 2020
Est. year, all in: $28,612Tuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid.
Debt as a share of year-10 pay: 52%Median debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back.
Total enrollment: 107,563

Cost, debt and enrollment: IPEDS 2023-2024 and College Scorecard. Conference level and coaching data: CommitBound.

Program Info

Division: D1
Conference: Mountain West
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Scholarships: Up to 25 (2025 roster rules)

Find Recruiting Questionnaire

Coaching Staff

Shanon Hays

Head Coach

Building6 years at Grand Canyon

s•••@gcu.edu

Hunter Hays

Assistant Coach

h•••@gcu.edu

Kat Frakes

Pitching Coach

k•••@gcu.edu

Jayme Bailey

Assistant Coach

j•••@gcu.edu

Get verified coach email access →

Something wrong? Report a coaching change

Camps & Clinics

Skills Clinic

October Hitting Clinics

Date: 10/05/2026 - 10/26/2026
Cost: $30
Age Group: 5th Grade - 12th Grade

Instruction in a skill, often a weekly series — training, not an evaluation.

Travelling in? 21 nights in Phoenix, AZ, Oct 5–Oct 26. Check hotel prices →

From Ryzer, checked Aug 31, 2026. Confirm dates and cost on the registration page before you travel.

Skills Clinic

October Infield Skills Clinics

Date: 10/05/2026 - 10/26/2026
Cost: $30
Age Group: 5th Grade - 12th Grade

Instruction in a skill, often a weekly series — training, not an evaluation.

Travelling in? 21 nights in Phoenix, AZ, Oct 5–Oct 26. Check hotel prices →

From Ryzer, checked Aug 31, 2026. Confirm dates and cost on the registration page before you travel.

Skills Clinic

October Pre-Camp Pitching Session I

Date: 10/15/2026
Cost: $50
Age Group: 8th Grade - 12th Grade

Instruction in a skill, often a weekly series — training, not an evaluation.

Travelling in? 1 night in Phoenix, AZ, Oct 15–Oct 16. Check hotel prices →

From Ryzer, checked Aug 31, 2026. Confirm dates and cost on the registration page before you travel.

Prospect / ID Camp

October Prospect Camp I

Date: 10/15/2026
Cost: $200
Age Group: 8th Grade - 12th Grade

Run by the program's staff to see and evaluate players — the kind of camp that matters for recruiting.

Travelling in? 1 night in Phoenix, AZ, Oct 15–Oct 16. Check hotel prices →

From Ryzer, checked Aug 31, 2026. Confirm dates and cost on the registration page before you travel.

Skills Clinic

October Pre-Camp Pitching Session II

Date: 10/29/2026
Cost: $50
Age Group: 8th Grade - 12th Grade

Instruction in a skill, often a weekly series — training, not an evaluation.

Travelling in? 1 night in Phoenix, AZ, Oct 29–Oct 30. Check hotel prices →

From Ryzer, checked Aug 31, 2026. Confirm dates and cost on the registration page before you travel.

Prospect / ID Camp

October Prospect Camp II

Date: 10/29/2026
Cost: $200
Age Group: 8th Grade - 12th Grade

Run by the program's staff to see and evaluate players — the kind of camp that matters for recruiting.

Travelling in? 1 night in Phoenix, AZ, Oct 29–Oct 30. Check hotel prices →

From Ryzer, checked Aug 31, 2026. Confirm dates and cost on the registration page before you travel.

Skills Clinic

November Hitting Clinics

Date: 11/02/2026 - 11/30/2026
Cost: $30
Age Group: 5th Grade - 12th Grade

Instruction in a skill, often a weekly series — training, not an evaluation.

Travelling in? 28 nights in Phoenix, AZ, Nov 2–Nov 30. Check hotel prices →

From Ryzer, checked Aug 31, 2026. Confirm dates and cost on the registration page before you travel.

Skills Clinic

November Infield Skills Clinics

Date: 11/02/2026 - 11/30/2026
Cost: $30
Age Group: 5th Grade - 12th Grade

Instruction in a skill, often a weekly series — training, not an evaluation.

Travelling in? 28 nights in Phoenix, AZ, Nov 2–Nov 30. Check hotel prices →

From Ryzer, checked Aug 31, 2026. Confirm dates and cost on the registration page before you travel.

Skills Clinic

December Pre-Camp Pitching Session

Date: 12/03/2026
Cost: $50
Age Group: 8th Grade - 12th Grade

Instruction in a skill, often a weekly series — training, not an evaluation.

Travelling in? 1 night in Phoenix, AZ, Dec 3–Dec 4. Check hotel prices →

From Ryzer, checked Aug 31, 2026. Confirm dates and cost on the registration page before you travel.

Prospect / ID Camp

December Prospect Camp

Date: 12/03/2026
Cost: $200
Age Group: 8th Grade - 12th Grade

Run by the program's staff to see and evaluate players — the kind of camp that matters for recruiting.

Travelling in? 1 night in Phoenix, AZ, Dec 3–Dec 4. Check hotel prices →

From Ryzer, checked Aug 31, 2026. Confirm dates and cost on the registration page before you travel.

Skills Clinic

December Hitting Clinic

Date: 12/07/2026
Cost: $30
Age Group: 5th Grade - 12th Grade

Instruction in a skill, often a weekly series — training, not an evaluation.

Travelling in? 1 night in Phoenix, AZ, Dec 7–Dec 8. Check hotel prices →

From Ryzer, checked Aug 31, 2026. Confirm dates and cost on the registration page before you travel.

Skills Clinic

December Infield Skills Clinic

Date: 12/07/2026
Cost: $30
Age Group: 5th Grade - 12th Grade

Instruction in a skill, often a weekly series — training, not an evaluation.

Travelling in? 1 night in Phoenix, AZ, Dec 7–Dec 8. Check hotel prices →

From Ryzer, checked Aug 31, 2026. Confirm dates and cost on the registration page before you travel.

Skills Clinic

January Hitting Clinics

Date: 01/04/2027 - 01/25/2027
Cost: $30
Age Group: 5th Grade - 12th Grade

Instruction in a skill, often a weekly series — training, not an evaluation.

Travelling in? 21 nights in Phoenix, AZ, Jan 4–Jan 25. Check hotel prices →

From Ryzer, checked Aug 31, 2026. Confirm dates and cost on the registration page before you travel.

Skills Clinic

January Infield Skills Clinic

Date: 01/04/2027 - 01/25/2027
Cost: $30
Age Group: 5th Grade - 12th Grade

Instruction in a skill, often a weekly series — training, not an evaluation.

Travelling in? 21 nights in Phoenix, AZ, Jan 4–Jan 25. Check hotel prices →

From Ryzer, checked Aug 31, 2026. Confirm dates and cost on the registration page before you travel.

Skills Clinic

January Pre-Camp Pitching Session I

Date: 01/09/2027
Cost: $50
Age Group: 8th Grade - 12th Grade

Instruction in a skill, often a weekly series — training, not an evaluation.

Travelling in? 1 night in Phoenix, AZ, Jan 9–Jan 10. Check hotel prices →

From Ryzer, checked Aug 31, 2026. Confirm dates and cost on the registration page before you travel.

Prospect / ID Camp

January Prospect Camp I

Date: 01/09/2027
Cost: $200
Age Group: 8th Grade - 12th Grade

Run by the program's staff to see and evaluate players — the kind of camp that matters for recruiting.

Travelling in? 1 night in Phoenix, AZ, Jan 9–Jan 10. Check hotel prices →

From Ryzer, checked Aug 31, 2026. Confirm dates and cost on the registration page before you travel.

Skills Clinic

January Pre-Camp Pitching Session II

Date: 01/21/2027
Cost: $50
Age Group: 8th Grade - 12th Grade

Instruction in a skill, often a weekly series — training, not an evaluation.

Travelling in? 1 night in Phoenix, AZ, Jan 21–Jan 22. Check hotel prices →

From Ryzer, checked Aug 31, 2026. Confirm dates and cost on the registration page before you travel.

Prospect / ID Camp

January Prospect Camp II

Date: 01/21/2027
Cost: $200
Age Group: 8th Grade - 12th Grade

Run by the program's staff to see and evaluate players — the kind of camp that matters for recruiting.

Travelling in? 1 night in Phoenix, AZ, Jan 21–Jan 22. Check hotel prices →

From Ryzer, checked Aug 31, 2026. Confirm dates and cost on the registration page before you travel.

Browse all softball camps in Arizona →

Camp Tips for Recruits

Before paying for any event, ask: which specific coaches will be there? Get confirmation.
Contact the coaching staff BEFORE attending their camp to express your interest. They will watch more closely.
College camps at your target schools offer the best return on investment — coaches see you on their campus.

What Grand Canyon Coaches Look For

Recruiting benchmarks for Mid-Major programs. Min = on the radar, Competitive = solidly in the pool, Elite = stands out.

Pitching Velocity

61 mphMin

64 mphCompetitive

68 mphElite

Exit Velocity (Tee)

69 mphMin

72 mphCompetitive

76 mphElite

Home to 1st (RH)

3 secMin

2.8 secCompetitive

2.7 secElite

Overhand Throw (IF)

63 mphMin

68 mphCompetitive

72 mphElite

Pop Time (2B)

1.95 secMin

1.85 secCompetitive

1.75 secElite

GPA

3.3Min

3.5Competitive

3.8Elite

See how your metrics compare to Grand Canyon's standards.

Try Calculator

Pitching velocity by age →Exit velocity by age →

Benchmarks compiled from recruiting services. Individual programs may have different expectations based on roster needs.

Quick Fit Check

Enter your top metrics to see how you compare to Grand Canyon's Mid-Major standards.

Grade:

Pitching Velocity (mph)

Exit Velocity (Tee) (mph)

Exit Velocity (Live) (mph)

See all 10 metrics across every division →

Recruiting Timeline

D1 contact rules for Grand Canyon. Select your graduation year to see personalized deadlines.

Class of 2028 — currently a Junior

When Coaches Can Contact You

September 1 of junior year — coaches can call, text, email, and DM on social media

Campus Visits

Official and unofficial visits with the coaching staff can begin September 1 of junior year (campus visits without recruiting contact are allowed anytime)

Offers & Commitments

Verbal offers can happen anytime (not binding). Written aid offers are signed during the early or regular signing period (the NLI was eliminated in October 2024).

Key Dates

September 1, junior year — official contact begins
September 1, junior year — official and unofficial visits can begin
Early signing period (November) — written aid offer signing
Regular signing period (April) — written aid offer signing

Updated for 2025-2026 NCAA rules

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See how your profile matches up with Grand Canyon

Tournament Attendance

Exclusive

Listed by the organizer

Upcoming events whose organizer currently lists Grand Canyon on their attending-college list. Attendance is set by organizers and can change.

Don Battles On

Nov 20, 2026Ontario, CA

Seen Grand Canyon at a tournament? You do not need the coach's name. Report a coach sighting

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get recruited by Grand Canyon University softball?

Start by filling out the Grand Canyon University recruiting questionnaire, then email the coaching staff directly. Attend camps and showcases where Grand Canyon University coaches are present. CommitBound can help you track your outreach and build recruiting habits.

Does Grand Canyon University offer softball scholarships?

Grand Canyon University is a D1 program. Up to 25 scholarships are allowed under the 2025 roster-limit rules, though funding varies by program.

When are Grand Canyon University softball camps?

Grand Canyon University has 18 camps listed. Check the camps section above for dates, costs, and registration links.

Who is the head coach at Grand Canyon University?

The current head coach is Shanon Hays. Verified coach email access is available with a free CommitBound account.

Follow Grand Canyon Softball

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Location

Recruiting Difficulty

Very Competitive

This is an elite D1 program. Recruits typically have extensive travel ball experience, strong academics, and begin the recruiting process early.

Graduate Outcomes

Median earnings (10yr): $42,186/yr
Median earnings (6yr): $47,280/yr
Median student debt: $22,114
Admission rate: 79%

Consider ROI — 10-year median earnings vs. four years of published tuition

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard; tuition from IPEDS.

Academic Profile

Avg. net price: $22,472/yr
Students on Pell Grant: 46%
SAT range (EBRW + Math): 1006–1113
ACT range: 20–22

Avg. net price is the actual average cost after aid — not sticker tuition. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

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Quick Facts

Division: D1
Conference: Mountain West
State: AZ
Camps Listed: 18

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Explore Softball in Arizona

Camps in Arizona

Find prospect camps and clinics at Arizona programs

Tournaments in Arizona

Browse upcoming softball tournaments and showcases

Grand Canyon Coach Contact

Coaching staff, verified email access, and how to write your first email

Grand Canyon Softball Camps

Camp dates, registration links, and how to prepare

All Recruiting Guides

Step-by-step guides for every stage of recruiting

We work hard to keep all data for Grand Canyon accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.

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