Aug. 31, 2004

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Jillian Callaway, a 2003 University of Maryland graduate and four-year starter for the Terrapin softball team, will join the staff of her former team as an assistant coach, head coach Gina LaMandre announced Tuesday. "We are excited about Jillian being here," LaMandre said. "She brings a lot of enthusiasm and infield experience and will be a great ambassador for the program." Callaway comes to Maryland after serving as a softball instructor at Planet Fastpitch in Uxbridge, Mass., for the past year. She has also coached at various area camps, including 5 Star Camp, Maryland Softball Camp and the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation camp. "I am ecstatic to be back to Maryland," Callaway said. "I'm looking forward to working with head coach Gina LaMandre and assistant coach Michelle Burrell. It feels good to be home." A standout infielder for the Terrapin softball team from 1999-2003, Callaway finished her career on Maryland's all-time top-10 list for games played (195) and started (189), hits (128), and RBI (63). During her senior campaign in 2003, she started all 45 games and hit .300 with 39 hits. At first base, she led the team with a .988 fielding percentage. As a student-athlete, Callaway earned the President's Award for Academic Achievement and the President's Cup Community Service Award in 2003 and was named one of the ACC's "Top Six For Service" that same year. She was also named to the ICA Honor Roll from 1999-2003 and to the Dean's List in 2000, 2002 and 2003. Callaway was a Verizon Academic All-District II second-team member in 2003.