DUDLEY, Mass. (11/10/2025) - Samantha Witmer, assistant coach of Nichols College softball, has built an impressive career throughout New England—balancing her success on the field with her achievements in the classroom. After earning her undergraduate degree from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, and her master's from Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts, she is now pursuing her Master of Business Administration at Nichols College in Dudley. Her journey through three competitive programs in nine years highlights her passion for learning, leadership, and the game of softball.
Originally from Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, Sam attended Upper Darby High School, where she was a standout athlete on the varsity softball team. During her high school career, she was a two-year captain, a two-time team MVP, a three-time All-League honoree, and an All-Conference selection. After attending a softball clinic at Trinity College, she connected with the coach and was drawn to both the competitiveness of the NESCAC Conference and what Trinity had to offer academically. She enrolled at Trinity in the fall of 2017 and played Division III softball while pursuing a bachelor's degree in psychology and English.
Her time at Trinity was filled with success—both on the field and in the classroom. Athletically, Sam concluded her career with a .429 batting average, the second highest in program history, and set a school record for on-base percentage at .522. In her senior season, she started every game, batted .417, posted a .542 on-base percentage, and recorded a .667 slugging percentage. She impressively reached base in every game that year.
For her outstanding performance, Sam was named to the NESCAC All-Conference First Team and earned a spot on the NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) New England All-Region Second Team in her sophomore and senior season. Off the field, she was actively involved on campus—working in the Trinity Communications Office, serving as an Orientation Leader, and being inducted into the National Student Honor Society.
After graduating from Trinity, Sam used her final season of eligibility to play softball at Springfield College while pursuing a two-year master's degree. She made an immediate impact on Springfield's program, posting a .350 batting average and 30 RBIs, both among the program's top marks for the 2022 season. During her second year at Springfield, she completed an internship at Nichols College, serving as the assistant coach for the softball team—an experience that would soon become her full-time passion.
Sam is now in her fourth year as the assistant softball coach at Nichols College, working under Head Coach
Caitlin Hitchcock, while continuing her MBA studies. She also serves as an assistant equipment manager, where she helps coordinate uniform and equipment distribution for 24 varsity teams.
Over the past three years, Sam has played an instrumental role in the softball program's growth. She explains that she genuinely enjoyed taking on this position and seeing the team's steady improvement. "The visual change in our record speaks for itself," she says. "It's been rewarding to see how far we've come."
As a coach, Sam wants her players to understand that it's okay to make mistakes and that there's always room to learn. She emphasizes the importance of communication and recognizes that players think and learn in different ways. "It's important to understand that everyone processes things differently," she explains. "As coaches, our job is to communicate in ways that help each player grow."
She has also developed a deeper understanding of how the sports world and the business world intersect. Through her MBA coursework, she's gained insight into leadership, collaboration, and organizational management. "Studying business has shaped how I approach teamwork and communication," she says. "It's taught me to be cautious about assumptions, to ask questions, and to stay curious about where people are coming from."
Her players notice her impact as well. Junior outfielder
Kyla Felicani praises Sam's energy and leadership:
"She consistently brings a positive, energetic attitude to every practice and game. Her commitment to improvement inspires the team, and her constructive feedback helps the outfielders develop their skills and confidence."
Sam describes Nichols as a uniquely supportive community. "The community aspect here is very different," she says. "You can feel that this campus is truly people-centered. There's a strong sense of appreciation and willingness to help one another."
Looking ahead, Sam will graduate in the spring of 2026 with her MBA. While she's open to continuing her coaching career, she's also exploring opportunities that connect both her sports and business experience. "I'm still figuring out where I fit best," she admits. "I want to find something that lets me combine my passion for sports with what I've learned in business. It's going to take some exploring to find the right opportunity where those two worlds meet."
