Aug. 7, 2007
The Patriot League recently conducted a brief question and answer session with Colgate Softball Head Coach Vickie Sax. Sax led the Raiders to their third Patriot League Tournament Championship in 2007. She earned Co-Patriot League Coach of the Year honors a season ago and took home sole possession of the award in 2003.
PL: How did you get into coaching softball?
VS: After graduating from the University of Iowa, I immediately began coaching ASA Youth Softball because my younger sister's team needed a coach. That's where it all began...a family experience in the making! With my brother and father pitching in on the assistant coach duties - my mother ended up umpiring the dinner table conversations in an effort to make peace!
PL: What was it like being a two-sport athlete in college?
VS: Well, having a knee replacement at age 42 pretty much sums it up! Although my body is paying the price dearly for it today - I wouldn't do anything different! No regrets about playing hard, playing intense, playing for a championship! My experiences in both field hockey and softball reinforced the philosophies I have as a coach today.
Mental toughness and overcoming obstacles were lessons I learned as a result of persevering through four knee surgeries during my college career. These experiences help me to understand what my own athletes are facing on a day-to-day basis. I can relate to their challenges because I can honestly say I have "walked in many of their shoes." I believe that expectations often have to become more realistic after an athlete has overcome injury. Readjustments need to be made in the area of expectations and individual roles on the team.
PL: Describe what it felt like to win the 2007 Patriot League Championship and make an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
VS: There are no words to describe the feeling a coach has when her players are able to bring their "A Game" in pressure situations and deliver such elevated levels of performance when most needed. The challenge of competing against the number one Oklahoma Sooners was an amazing opportunity for my players. Their exposure to such competition has motivated the team to set higher personal standards and expectations for the 2007-08 season. Overall, it was a thrill and an honor to represent the Patriot League and compete in the sixty-four team tournament.
PL: Share your thoughts on coaching in the Patriot League - a conference that prides itself on the scholar-athlete model.
VS: The coaching staff of all Patriot League participants are unique in that we continuously strive to put the student-athlete's academic needs as a priority. Our players are referred to as "student-athletes" for a reason. They are first and foremost a student and their athletic experience is secondary. I, like all coaches in the Patriot League, believe strongly in promoting opposing team's players at the regional and national level. There is a high level of sportsmanship that exists between all coaches in the Patriot League. We direct much of our energy toward keeping our players "grounded" in their overall academic experience.
PL: Any special plans for the summer?
VS: Yes, nursing my mom through a knee replacement and preparing for her 70th birthday celebration!
