PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania's new head softball coach, Christie Novatin, has announced the hiring of Kristin Hallam as an assistant coach.
 
Hallam comes to University City after spending the 2023 season with the University of Missouri as a graduate assistant coach under Larissa Anderson. The Tigers went 35-26 that season, making the NCAA Championship and beating California in their first game at the Norman Regional before being eliminated. While at Missouri, Hallam also got her Med in Educational Leadership and Administration.
 
"I am thrilled to welcome Kristin to Penn and the Quaker family," said Novatin, who was hired as the program's fourth head coach in June. "She is an outstanding addition to our team, and I have no doubt that she will make a significant impact both on and off the field with our players. Kristin is a passionate, energetic, and talented coach who generates success in everything she does. I am excited for her to bring her championship experience and team-first mentality to our program. I can't wait to see all that she can help our program accomplish."
 
"I am so excited to get started on this new adventure with Penn softball," said Hallam. "The pride and loyalty of the culture of this school is unmatched, and it is awesome to see the carry-over in the athletics department. The future of our team is bright, and I can't wait to be a part of our athlete's journey."
 
Like Novatin, Hallam played her college ball at Hofstra University where she had an impressive career with the Pride. A 2021 graduate, Hallam played 184 games over her four-year career, starting each of them. She was a career .355 hitter with 222 hits. Hallam finished her career as the Hofstra all-time stolen base leader with 83. She ranks among the top ten in program history in batting average, hits, runs, and stolen bases.
 
Hallam was the Colonial Athletic Association's nominee for NCAA Woman of the Year in 2021, following her senior season. She completed her graduate degree in sport science with a 4.0 GPA after completing her undergraduate degree with a 3.91 GPA as an exercise science major. Hallam also was a 2021 Senior CLASS Award Candidate while serving as Hofstra's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee President.
 
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