ON THE MOVE: Trina Salcido encourages her Princeton University softball team from the coaching box in 2011. Last week, Salcido stepped down from her post as the head coach of the Tiger softball program. In her five years at the helm, Salcido guided Princeton to an overall record of 81-136 and a 47-53 Ivy League mark. She coached the program to the 2008 Ivy title in her debut season. (Photo Courtesy of Princeton’s Office of Athletic Communications)

For Trina Salcido, entering into married life means that she is going to take a break from another family.

After five years as the head coach of the Princeton University softball team, Salcido stepped down from her post last week.

Salcido, who is engaged to Rutgers women’s swimming head coach Phil Spiniello with a wedding date set for August, is going to miss the daily contact with her brood on the diamond.

“It is special to be part of their four years and see them mature and grow as people; it is such a valuable role,” said Salcido.

“It is rewarding to see them fail and succeed at practice and helping them develop. The gift of daily contact is great.”

In reflecting on her tenure, Salcido pointed to the deep bonds she developed with her coaching colleagues as another highlight.

“I will miss the relationships I have built with the other coaches at Princeton, both assistant and head coaches,” said Salcido, who served as an assistant with the program for three years before taking the helm for the 2008 season.

“It has been great to sit beside them and to be able to go into their offices and draw perspective from them on where Princeton has been and where it is going. I am inspired by them and feel part of something bigger. It is a core group that believes in the same goals and shares best practices. Everyone is trying to help each other.”

In 2011, Salcido gained a different perspective on things when freshman player Khristin Kyllo died of natural causes.

“Knowing her for two years in the recruiting process and in her fall here is really why I coach,” said Salcido.

“Khristin was a great kid. Losing her was the hardest thing in my life. I never had to deal with a tragedy like that. Both of my parents are still alive and I have three sisters. I have become so close to her family; it is a gift to have a relationship like that. When you get a life and death perspective, you learn to appreciate each day and each moment. You see that things are bigger than winning or losing.”

Salcido did enjoy some winning moments in her tenure, guiding Princeton to an 18-2 Ivy mark in 2008 that stands as a record for regular season league victories.

“We really struggled the year before and we were able to turn it around,” said Salcido, reflecting on that 2008 campaign that helped her produce an overall record of 81-136 and a 47-53 Ivy League mark. “It was an inspired year.”

In Salcido’s view, the program is positioned to enjoy some big years. “I love the foundation that is in place; we are going to have numbers,” said Salcido, who guided her 2012 squad to a 14-32 overall record and 8-12 in Ivy play with five of the league losses being by one run.

“When I came here we had 13 players. There will be 19 players next season for the first time. We have depth of talent at more positions. We have depth in the bullpen, there will be four or five pitchers and three catchers. It creates opportunities for competition and for more people to step up. It gives a coach more options in games. You can also weather injuries. The new coach is going to be able to hit the ground running.”