One-on-One With Head Softball Coach Amy Smith

Even though our first season of active competition was cut short due to COVID-19, the Southwest Softball team made some wonderful strides before playing our final game of the season on March 9, 2019. The Flying Eagles had just played their first home games, a doubleheader against Patrick Henry Community College and had split the two game series with a win in game one and a loss in game two.

The Flying Eagles Softball program plays at the D2 level in Region X of the NJCAA. We were very excited to get the opportunity to sit down with Coach Smith for three questions about herself and the program she is building at Soutwest.

1. When did your love of softball begin? 
   I think I was born with a softball in my hand.  I've always been around a ballfield somewhere from a very young age.  My Dad played men's slowpitch softball so growing up I spent many, many weekdays and weekends watching him play. As soon as I was old enough to throw and swing a bat, he was working with me. I played all through little league and high school and then played women's slowpitch softball and occasionally now still play co-ed softball.  My love for the game lead me to my career path of teaching and coaching.  Now that I have two daughters of my own, I strive to continue that love of softball with them by ensuring they had a softball in their hand on the day they were born. 

2. What are the most important lessons that can be learned from playing softball? 
   I am thankful for all the lessons learned and experiences in softball that have helped me be who I am today.  There are so many lessons that softball brings to each person such as teamwork, accountability, attitude, trust, and many more.  There are many highs and lows that each athlete has during their career on the field. They will also encounter these highs and lows in life after softball.  Learning how to respond to tough situations and finding a way to overcome them is one of the most important lessons.  I am driven to find different ways to adapt, connect, and impact each of my athletes.  I still have players that I have coached in years past that reach out to me to talk about jobs, life, or just see if I want to go have dinner and talk about our past softball days.  Softball can build many friendships that last forever!

3. What are qualities you hope to instill in these young women? 
   The biggest quality I hope to instill in each athlete is to hold themselves to a high standard and show good character both on and off the field. There are so many younger athletes looking up to them.  I want to ensure that all athletes I have coached in the past, present, and future will leave my program as the best athlete they can be, someone who will make an impact on society, and someone who excels in academics. If they are hard-working, committed, and motivated, they can achieve any goal or dream that they want in life.