Issue date: 4/14/05 Section: News

Media Credit: Marcie McDowell/Progress Softball Coach Jane Worthington watches a softball game last week.

It is hard for many people to find a job they love and brings them fulfillment. Softball Coach Jane Worthington has never had that problem. For the past 13 years, Coach Worthington has had the opportunity to do what she loves.

After more than a decade of leading Eastern's softball program, Worthington is still excited to come to work and take on the new challenges that each day brings, she said.

"That might be the best part of my job - there really is no typical day," said Worthington.

Everyday Worthington must re-evaluate the condition of her team and what needs the most work.

"As far as the team goes, that varies from day to day; we look at what we did in the game or practice before and see what we need to work on," Worthington said.

The team keeps Worthington busy, practicing for up to three hours or more on any given day. Throughout the day, players come in between their classes to get some individual practice time Worthington helps supervise.

Recruiting is a crucial part of the job and is something the coach must work on year-round.

"Recruiting is the name of the game," said Worthington. "We have to always look ahead; we have to take a look at our program and see what we need."

Worthington tries to see as many local high school games as possible during the season so that during the summer she can travel further to see players. Throughout summer, the coach attends softball games looking for future Colonels.

"That's my typical day in the summer, is trying to see as many players as possible," said Worthington.

As a coach, Worthington has a unique opportunity to mentor her players as they mature both as softball players and as people. That is an opportunity that the coach relishes, she said.

"You care about them. You take it personal when they make bad choices or don't have the expectations for them that you have. You love to see them succeed but it kills you when they don't," said Worthington.

The coach takes the good with the bad and is quite happy with where she is. Her position is much better than the alternative, Worthington said..

"I love that I can be outside part of the day," she said. "I think I'd go nuts working in an office all day."

Reach Tyler at
progress@eku.edu

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