NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Alex Heinen, who enjoyed a stellar playing career at Boston University, has joined Laura Ricciardone's softball staff as an assistant coach.
 
"I'm ecstatic Alex will be joining us in New Haven," Ricciardone said. "You'll understand why from the moment you meet her. She has an infectious energy, high level of softball knowledge and has been a winner at every step of her career. Yale softball players will benefit greatly from her experience, ability to connect and develop and competitive energy. She is the perfect person to round out the staff in this new era for Yale Softball, and I couldn't be more thrilled to have her in New Haven."
 
Heinen comes to Yale after serving as a head coach with Jeff Blanco's Monarchs travel softball organization in her home state of California. Previously she was an assistant coach at Denison University in 2019-2020.
 
Heinen is a graduate of Boston University, where she was a two-time Patriot League Player of the Year and was selected as a finalist for the 2019 Senior CLASS Award. She finished her BU career as the program's all-time leader in RBIs (155) after helping lead the Terriers to their third Patriot League title and NCAA Tournament appearance in four years. Also earning NFCA All-Region first-team honors in 2018 and 2019, Heinen finished her career with 23 home runs, 155 RBIs, and 85 runs scored while leading the Terriers to a 37-20 mark during her senior season.
 
"I'm incredibly honored to be joining the Bulldog family," Heinen said. "I was so lucky to have had the opportunity to play for Laura at BU. She has had such a positive impact on my softball journey and continues to today. I am excited to pay it forward to this team and provide them with the best college experience possible. I am extremely grateful to be a part of this prestigious program! Go dogs!"
 
Off the field, Heinen received her Bachelor of Science degree in Film and Television from BU in the spring of 2019. From 2017-19, Heinen worked as a special events assistant for the BU Athletic Department where she helped manage campus sporting events such as basketball, hockey, soccer, swimming & diving, and track and field. Her duties included game-day operations, event set-up, and camera work for the Terriers' hockey team.
 
Along with her focus of study, Heinen also interned with NBC Universal and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon during the summer of 2018 in New York City. Along with assisting the show with daily operations, Heinen also helped manage The Tonight Show's social media accounts while conducting daily research and pre-production concepts for web exclusive videos.
 
A native of San Clemente, Calif, Heinen has also spent time in her community with the Shea Therapeutic Riding Center and Special Olympics of Southern California.
 
In addition to her softball work, Heinen is currently attending Flight School.