Mizzou Softball's Michalowski-Marino Honored as Assistant Coach of the Year
10/8/2019 1:23:00 PM | Softball
Second-year assistant honored as Division I Easton/NFCA Assistant Coach of the Year
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Mizzou Softball assistant coach Sara Michalowski-Marino has been named the Division I Easton/NFCA Assistant Coach of the Year, the organization announced on Tuesday.
Michalowski-Marino concluded her first season in Mid-Missouri by assisting first-year head coach Larissa Anderson in leading Mizzou to its 13th-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. The Tigers, who were predicted to finish last in the SEC entering the season, finished tied for fourth in the conference. Mizzou would reach the final of the UCLA Regional, forcing a decisive game seven against eventual national champion UCLA, being the only team to hand UCLA a loss in the postseason.
The first hire made by Anderson when she took over the program in May, Michalowski-Marino was crucial to Mizzou's success as Anderson's right-hand person. Beyond her on-field duties setting the team's defensive coverages and serving as the liaison to academic services, compliance, equipment and travel, Michalowski-Marino was indispensable in a transition year for the Tigers.
With Anderson undergoing cardiovascular surgery six days prior to the start of the 2019 season, Michalowski-Marino took on a larger role to provide stability to a program under its third head coach in a 12-month span. Despite a turbulent offseason, her efforts helped lead Mizzou to a 35-25 record, and an appearance in the SEC Tournament. Redshirt senior Madi Norman became only the fourth pitcher in program history to earn NFCA All-Southeast Region honors, and the first since 2013.
Michalowski-Marino will be honored at the NFCA Awards Brunch on Dec. 7.
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A Thank You from Head Coach Larissa Anderson
I am beyond proud and ecstatic for Sara in receiving this award. When I accepted the position as the Head Coach at the University of Missouri, I immediately wanted Sara to be a part of this journey. Her knowledge and ability to teach the game is one to be admired, but what impressed me more than anything is her compassion and dedication to the student-athletes she teaches.
Sara makes an impact in every game and practice by what she brings to our coaching staff. However, a true assistant coach goes above and beyond their title – not only do they carry out the mission of the head coach, but they impact lives. Sara has not only impacted our players' lives, but my life as well. I wouldn't have gotten through this past season without her support and strength.
Sara was instrumental to our transition to Missouri on a personal level. Three weeks after I accepted the position and prepared to move across the country, my father passed away suddenly. The first person I knew I wanted and needed by my side during this time was Sara. Sara's stability, and also her familiarity of me and our program needs, allowed me to be with my family during this difficult time. She knew exactly how to carry out our mission.
In addition to losing my father, one week before we were to open up our regular season at Arizona State, I was diagnosed with Arterial Thorastic Outlet Syndrome – needing immediate surgery. Outside of the obvious stress associated with starting the season, our team faced an added stress. Mizzou had three different head coaches in one calendar year, and now their head coach was facing a medical issue and wasn't going to be available prior to the first game. Sara gave our team stability when they needed it most, and I knew our team was in good hands, and I had no doubt that our team would be prepared for our opening game.
Mizzou Softball could not have gotten through the 2019 season as well as we did if it wasn't for Sara Michalowski-Marino. I can't thank Sara enough for what she has meant to our program over the last year. She's been by my side as a player for four years, and as an assistant coach for three years spanning two states. Winning starts with family in our program, and Sara is family.
