Backus attended Cal State Fullerton and played for 15 years as a shortstop and third baseman in the Amateur Softball Association ("ASA") from 1961 to 1975.
[2] Backus was hired as a part-time coach by Judith Holland, UCLA senior associate athletic director.
In the formative years of the program, the Bruins played at city parks, where they were "often bumped from fields by recreational softball leagues.
Backus's success led the Los Angeles Times in 1990 to compare Backus to UCLA's legendary basketball coach John Wooden:"When you talk about UCLA dynasties, you start with John Wooden, who coached the men's basketball team to 10 NCAA titles.
"[4]Commenting on the pressure and anxiety fostered by success, Backus noted, "John Wooden once said that he wished one national championship to his best friends, but four to his enemies.
"[7] Amid an NCAA probe prompted by a Los Angeles Times investigation into UCLA pitcher Tanya Harding, Backus announced her retirement in January 1997 after 21 years as the team's head coach.
"[9] Backus coached 29 All-Americans and numerous top players at UCLA, including Dot Richardson, Lisa Fernandez (the first softball player to win the Honda-Broderick Cup as the top female collegiate athlete), Sheila Cornell-Douty, Kerry Dienelt, Debbie Doom, Jennifer Brundage, Joanne Brown, Tanya Harding, Sue Enquist, Lisa Longaker (three-time All-American), Samantha Ford, Tiffany Boyd, Lorraine Maynez, DeeDee Weiman, Yvonne Gutierrez, Heather Compton, Tracy Compton, Shanna Flynn, Shelly Montgomery, Missy Phillips, Leslie Rover, Monica Tourville, Lisa Richardson, Jan Jeffers, Karen Andrews, Tricia Mang, Alleah Poulson and Jancie Park.
WPF league director Rayla Allison said at the time, "With Sharron, we've stepped up the level of professionalism and improved our marketability.
"[11] Backus noted that her goals were to attract youngsters to the game and to bolster the league so that it might reach the status of the Women's National Basketball Association.