Megan Mihalik
Played: University of North Florida
Head Coach: Select Elite 14U
Positions: 1B, DP, C
High School Accomplishments:
2006- All Gateway Conference 2nd Team; 2007- All Gateway Conference for Volleyball; 2008 & 2009- All Gateway Conference Honorable Mention for Volleyball and Softball; 2007 & 2010- All Gateway Conference for Softball
College Accomplishments:
Division I Letterman from 2010-2014; 2012 Atlantic Sun Conference Champions; SAAC (Student Athlete Advisory Committee) from 2011-2014; strong leadership and work ethic athletically and academically; 2014- Academic Honors- Deans List; 2014- Received my Bachelors of Science in Sport Management
Coaching Experience:
- In my 3rd year coaching with Florida Select- 1.5 as Assistant Coach in 14u, 1.5 as Head Coach of14u
- 4 years of college- spent summers working college level camps and local camps for youth
- 3 years umpiring with Travel Ball and Jacksonville Umpires Association for Middle/High School
Softball.
- 9+ years of mentoring and teaching the game of softball
- Played since the age of 4
History with Softball and why you chose to Coach:
I have been playing ball since I was 4-years old. I began my journey playing baseball with the boys so my training and preparation coming into the softball world was very unique. I played baseball where I was pitcher and played 1B. The highlight across my career in baseball will always be the not only the number of boys I struck out, BUT the number of boys I made cry because a girl struck them out. Lol. In seventh grade I chose to switch over to fast pitch softball in school and was introduced to the world of travel softball once my teammates at school saw me play. From the age of 14 and all the way through high school I worked hard to learn and excel in the game as much as possible especially because half of my youth was spent embarrassing the boys. Ball is something that runs through my veins, my grandfather was a fast pitch pitcher for the softball team in the navy so I knew my future could bring me many opportunities because of my natural talent, BUT I also dedicated myself to putting in the work.
During my high school years, I focused even more on grades and travel ball and growing in the game. Along with the love and support of many amazing coaches, my family, and most importantly my parents, I earned the privilege of getting a scholarship offer to play at the University of North Florida. SWOOP!!
Now that my 4-years as a collegiate athlete has come to an end and I did some exploring following graduation, I found myself missing the game. I began umpiring school ball and travel ball and that was when I decided I wanted to journey into the world of coaching. I have so much passion for life and I am the one that wears my heart on my sleeve. My collegiate experience along with the life lessons I carried along the way has given me great appreciation for the opportunities I have had in my life and it would be a waste to not turn and give all of that back. These experiences should not go unshared, so I dove right into coaching to create the goal of merging my message with coaching because my passion for working with youth is unlike anything else I have ever wanted to pursue. The world of softball is very complicated- politics, the pace, the rules, the changes, parents, competition, pressure, all of it- it does not slow down or change its path for these athletes to keep up. But me- I survived 4-years as one of the toughest types of students you can be in my opinion- a student-athlete.
My goal and philosophy as a coach is I want every player that plays for me to leave with 3 things that whether they do or don’t play in college- they can carry it over and understand when they are older that these skills will bring them great success in life; as it truly has for me. 1, is adversity and mental toughness should become second nature. 2, being accountable and giving the effort to do every task in front of you creates strength that will grow your confidence. 3, always be humble and a confident leader because the greatest thing a person can do without any effort is leading by example. If you can commit to those three ideas, you will understand the saying “you are only as successful as your mind allows you to be”.
Tell us about your life and things that are important to you:
I am a fun time in life, because let’s be real, every moment spent being negative is an opportunity missed to see something amazing in your life. Recently I lost one of my brothers (Tyler) at the young age of 30; and although my family is the most important already, I have really come to value every opportunity I have been given and every moment I get to be with my family because the time that goes by is the time you cannot get back. I really enjoy watching my nephew who is 15 play football and my niece who is 5 cheer. Currently I am a Volunteer Coordinator for Duval County Public Schools with goals to transition into P.E. and Health and start teaching by the end of this year. I also umpire and work security for SAFE Management at the Jags Stadium.
Tell us a crazy fun fact about you:
My obsession with dolphins is unreal, but I love them. I also am obsessed with the show I Love Lucy and even went as far as to name my beagle Lucy.
