PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Sara Shaw has been named the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s new softball coach.
The owner of FitLife Personal Fitness Training, she was the director of parks and recreation in Limestone from 2012-14.
Shaw, the former Sara Martin and who is newly married, replaces Peter Coffin, who resigned in August after guiding the Owl program for three years.
A 2008 graduate of UM-Farmington, Shaw possesses a wealth of softball coaching and strength and conditioning experience, including a stint as the assistant softball and basketball coach at UMPI in 2010.
“We are excited to have Sara on board, I think she is going to be a great addition to our staff, “ said Paul Stone, UMPI’s athletic director. “She has been around softball all her life either as a player or coach and is really excited to help us build a program here at UMPI.”
Shaw is grateful that she was chosen for the position and is excited about being part of the Owl coaching staff.
“I am extremely excited to begin working with this wonderful group of athletes,” Shaw said. “I have always loved being involved in the game of softball, whether it was as a player or a coach, and I really believe in UMPI’s vision for its student-athletes. UMPI is a great fit for me.”
Shaw is no stranger to playing athletics at a high level, having competed in five conference championships as a softball and basketball player in the Yankee and North Atlantic Conferences while at Central Maine Community College (CMCC) and UM-Farmington. Both of Shaw’s parents are longtime coaches and she has worked in and around athletics her entire life.
Included in her past experiences is a stint at CMCC as assistant athletic director and sports information director in 2008. She has also worked at various camps and fitness centers and served as varsity softball coach at Mt. Abram High School in Salem.
While at CMCC, Shaw worked closely with Athletic Director and USCAA President Dave Gonyea. UMPI is dually affiliated with both the NCAA and USCAA and her background with both organizations will be utilized to promote the softball program at UMPI.
“We are pleased UMPI has offered Sara their softball coaching position,” said Gonyea. “She will be a good role model and hardworking leader for that program. Sara employs a variety of skills and brings valuable experience to the position. We are very proud of her accomplishments.”
Shaw earned her undergraduate degree from UM-Farmington in community health education in 2008 and is one course away from earning her master’s degree in sport management from the United States Sports Academy. She is also the co-owner of Northern Athletic Supply in Presque Isle.
“I look forward to bringing energy and excitement for the game of softball to this program and building on the great work previous coaches before me have done,” said Shaw. “I’m excited to meet the girls and begin working with them.”
