GORHAM, Maine- The National Fastpitch Coaches Association's (NFCA) virtual conference, running December 9-11, features coaches from 43 different states as panelists. One of those 43 coaches is University of Southern Maine head coach Sarah Jamo, who will represent the State of Maine, and present on Work-Life Balance.
 
"I remember my first convention, how exciting it was to connect to other coaches and learn from the greats," said Jamo. "I was impressed by all the Hall of Fame coaches and long-time coaches; how open, honest, and real they were. I'm excited to give back and share my experience balancing my (crazy) work and home life."
 
The NFCA is the primary governing body to NCAA softball and hosts a yearly conference for all of its members, coaches and players alike. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this year's convention is entirely virtual and will feature speakers, drills sessions, networking opportunities, business meetings, social events, and an exhibit show.
 
Serving as a panelist on a live session title, "Coaching Connection: Work Life Balance," Jamo will certainly have a great deal of experience to share with her peers as she successfully manages a variety of role as a member of the Huskies' Athletic Department and at home. The 2015 Little East Conference Coach of the Year, Jamo has over 100 wins in her seven seasons with the Huskies, and has helped return Southern Maine to post-season play. In addition to her coaching duties, Jamo contributes to the administration and leadership of the Huskies' Learning Center, which has helped the department achieve a cumulative grade point average of 3.3 for its nearly 500 student-athletes.  
 
As part of her role, Jamo hires, trains and manages a staff of student-employees, and works with her colleagues to track the completion of 'study table' hours that are required by USM freshmen student-athletes, producing and distributing academic reports. To help ensure academic success and provide guidance, Jamo and Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator Kim Turner meet with freshman student-athletes throughout the first semester. 
 
On top of her responsibilities as a Husky, Jamo has two small children at home, who have quickly become a part of Husky Nation. Jamo's oldest was one when she took the on her head coaching role at Southern Maine and her kids have grown alongside the program.
 
"I have such a passion for my job and I think it's important that my children see my love and passion. They travel when they can and when they have a day off from school, they come help at practice," said Jamo.
 
Jamo says to be successful at work and present for her kids, balance is everything. She is a member of a fastpitch league and a book club, both of which allow her to unwind and decompress. "If I have a hard day at work, a player struggling, a big loss, whatever it is, before I get out of the car, I make sure I'm ready to put my mom hat on. They need me to be present to their needs," said Jamo.
 
Given her experience as a coach, Learning Center supervisor, and parent, Jamo is eager to share her knowledge and experience with coaches across the country during the Work Life Balance panel at the NFCA conference.
 
Following the conference, Jamo will have just a few months to get the Huskies ready compete this spring and contend for a spot in the Little East Conference tournament. To do this, Jamo will lean on her veteran players as the Huskies return four student-athletes who will be in their fifth-year at USM and maintain eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The Huskies are also returning four All-Little East Conference players, seniors Alexis Brown, pitcher (Malden, MA/Malden), Erin Martin, outfielder (Biddeford, ME/Biddeford), Ashley Tinsman, catcher (Cape Elizabeth, ME/Cape Elizabeth) and junior infielder Kaitlyn Nelson (Guildhall, VT/White Mountains Regional) and have added graduate-transfer and All-NESCAC pitcher, Kirsten Pelletier (Sidney, ME/Messalonskee). "The team has worked so hard the last two years. Even despite the pandemic, they have remained positive and passionate," said Jamo. "This is by far the hardest working team I have had and I can't wait to see that translate on the field."
 
Jamo also noted how this year's pitching staff is among the strongest and deepest she's seen during her coaching career. The staff is made up of two freshmen, Lauren Merrill (Bethel, ME/Oxford Hills), Belle Snyder (Epping, NH/Epping) and one sophomore, Rona Scott (Beverly, MA/Beverly), none of whom have played in collegiate competition due to the cancellation of the 2020 spring season. These three younger pitchers have been able to learn from the team's two returning fifth-year pitchers.
 
The Huskies are scheduled to return to practice on January 25, when they will start their 2021 campaign.