Aug. 22, 2012

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Former Maryland softball player and coach Jillian Callaway will return to College Park this year as pitching coach, eighth-year head coach Laura Watten announced Wednesday.

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 was also named to the ICA Honor Roll in all four years and the Dean's List in three years. Callaway was a Verizon Academic All-District II second-team member in 2003.

Callaway joins Watten and another Maryland softball alum on staff in Amber Jackson, who finished her career in 2007.

"I am thrilled to be back at Maryland as an assistant coach once again and look forward to contributing to my alma mater's athletic and academic excellence," Callaway said. "Maryland will always be special to me because I had great years here as a player and coach. It has been exciting to watch the direction of the program and the athletics department's vision over the last few years and I am grateful to be a part of it."

Callaway graduated from the Maryland in 2003 with her bachelor's degree in Communications. After graduation, she stayed in College Park for the 2004-06 seasons as an assistant coach. She also worked alongside Jennie Finch as a pitching instructor for the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation.

"Jillian is a great fit for our staff and the softball program as a whole," head coach Laura Watten said. "She has an established commitment to the growth of softball throughout the region, especially the state of Maryland, and will be crucial to our success. Most importantly, I am excited to be adding such a passionate, positive and committed Terrapin alumni to our team."

Callaway owns and operates 5 Star Athletics, a program she founded to promote softball and instruct the top young players in the area. She has worked with current Maryland players Kaitlyn Schmeiser and Lindsey Schmeiser, Kelly Trimble and Bridget Hawvermale through her program.

She is currently the deputy commissioner for the Maryland Amateur Softball Association Junior Olympic program. She has also been nominated in the Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame, November 2012.

The Terrapins made their third straight NCAA Regionals appearance in May for the first time in school history. They went 34-22 on the year, after winning 14 of 16 to close the regular season.