Keilani Tumanuvao is juggling two careers this summer as an assistant coach of the softball program at University of the Pacific and a professional pitcher in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League.

In the summer of 2024, Tumanuvao was pitching for the Oklahoma City Spark in an independent professional softball league when she was offered two opportunities: join Pacific as pitching coach for the Tigers or continue her playing career in the newly formed Athletes Unlimited Softball League, hosted in 10 cities across America.

After speaking with then-incoming softball Head Coach Sam Duran-Kukuk, Tumanuvao realized she didn’t have to choose.

“What drew me to Pacific and Coach Sam’s staff was not only the opportunity to return home to Northern California, but also my admiration for her advocacy for the game of softball. She champions the sport at every level,” said Tumanuvao, who is from San Jose, California.

“I’m incredibly grateful that Coach Sam supports me in continuing my professional playing career while coaching. It is an incredible opportunity to be a part of Athletes Unlimited Softball League, and I am so thankful that Pacific understands that.”

Before the start of Pacific’s season in January, Tumanuvao was selected 21st overall by the Blaze, one of the four teams in the pro league. When the Tigers’ season wrapped up in May, she joined the Blaze for its 24-game inaugural season.

Despite her duties as a professional pitcher, she has continued to hit the recruiting trail hard to bring in the next class of Tiger softball players. During an off-week in late-June, Tumanuvao attended three tournaments in Colorado to scout future recruiting classes.

That dedication has only reinforced Duran-Kukuk’s decision to bring Tumanuvao on board.

“We are at the peak of our recruiting process right now, and she has continued to work nonstop while on the road,” Duran-Kukuk said. “Not many people understand how time consuming it is to do what she does. She is a mom, a coach, a recruiter and a professional athlete. She has single handedly shown our players what it takes to do it all.”

Tumanuvao’s impact also resonates with the athletes she mentors.

“Learning from and having the opportunity to be coached by one of the greats has been not only a blessing but a dream come true,” said junior pitcher Justice Alcaraz ’27, who is pursuing a degree in business administration and human resources. “I grew up watching Coach Lani. Now that I get to learn from her, I have become a student of the game both physically and mentally.

“Being coached by her has taught me so much already. Her competitiveness, drive and physical and mental dedication to the sport has been inspiring.”

Duran-Kukuk said seeing Tumanuvao balancing multiple roles is a great model for student-athletes.

“When our athletes leave Pacific with a degree, one thing can be guaranteed—we will be sure to show you that being a woman in a leadership role is an attainable goal. If you are planning to build a family, run a company or you want to do both, just look at Coach Tumanuvao, and she will show you how it’s done,” Duran-Kukuk said.

Tumanuvao has spun 11 innings for the Blaze this season across five appearances and two starts and is currently third on the club in strikeouts. During her time at Oklahoma from 2009-2013, she was twice named USA Softball National Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons. Tumanuvao is one of three players in the history of collegiate softball to earn the USA Softball Player of the Year distinction more than once.

She will return to Pacific in the dugout for the program’s 2025 fall season.