Troy University Athletics
Softball
O'Mara, Sharon
Sharon O'Mara
- Title:
- Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
- Email:
- saomara@troy.edu
- Phone:
- 5744
Sharon O’Mara is entering her sixth season as an assistant coach at Troy University and was promoted to Associate Head Coach on February 15, 2013.
Under O’Mara’s direction, Troy’s pitching rotation of three freshmen picked up 29 of the Trojans’ 31 wins in 2012. 17 of those wins came from Ashley Rainey, who under O’Mara’s guidance picked up three Sun Belt Pitcher of the Week Awards in 2012, as well as being named to the All-Sun Belt First Team. Freshman Jaycee Affeldt also earned a Sun Belt Conference Pitcher of the Week honor.
A 2012 graduate of the NCAA Women’s Coaches Academy, O’Mara helped guide the freshman pitching rotation to wins over then eighth-ranked Louisiana-Lafayette, as well as wins over #21 Auburn and #22 Florida State.
During the 2011 season, the Trojans finished with a record of 32-27. Senior pitcher Ashlyn Williams finished a stellar career at Troy under O’Mara’s guidance with some impressive numbers.
In 2011, Williams earned the first ever NFCA Top Performer of the Week Award in Troy’s history and was named Sun Belt Pitcher of the Week twice. Williams also recorded 288 strikeouts, which brought her career total to 1,305, which ranks as the 17th highest total all-time in NCAA Division I history. Williams also finished her career with 93 wins and 25 shutouts.
During the 2010 season, the Trojans’ pitching staff finished with an ERA of 2.83 - and just 2.12 in Sun Belt Conference play - with then-junior pitcher Ashlyn Williams breaking Troy’s single-season strikeout record. She recorded 402 strikeouts, breaking the record she set in the previous season.
During the 2009 season, O’Mara’s first with Troy, the Trojans pitching staff finished with a 38-19 record. Under O’Mara’s guidance, pitcher Ashlyn Williams earned first team All-Sun Belt honors, was named a Sun Belt Pitcher of the Week, and garnered All-Region honors. Williams finished the 2009 season with a 25-13 record and broke Troy’s single season strikeout record (312).
Before coming to Troy, O’Mara coached six Australian national championship teams.
O’Mara, a native of New South Wales, Australia, served as the pitching coach for the New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) since 2006. There she helped guide the team to a National Championship in January 2008 with one of her pitchers being named Pitcher of the Tournament after throwing a no-hitter in the finals.
Additionally, the NSW U-19 squad earned a national championship that same month. O’Mara has also coached multiple U-16 teams to National Championships including titles from 2003-2005 and 2001 along with a 3rd place finish in 2002.
O’Mara’s coaching experience is not limited to Australia; as in May 2010, she was selected as the pitching coach for the Venezuelan National Team and helped the team to their highest-ever world ranking. Venezuela finished fifth at the 2010 World Championships held in Caracas, Venezuela. In the lead up to the World Championships, O’Mara also assisted the Venezuelan national team in a five-game exhibition series against the NPF Professional Team, USSSA Pride.
In August 2010, O’Mara also instructed pitching for West Coast Softball Academy at camps in Vancouver, British Columbia and Alberta, Canada. She had previously instructed in Canada in 2005, and also served as the pitching instructor at the Higher Ground Softball Camp in Georgia.
“We have been successful recruiting in Australia in the past and having Sharon on our staff sends a strong message to the elite athletes of Australia as to the success and strength of our softball program as well as Troy University,” Troy head coach Melanie Davis said.
O’Mara has completed multiple International Softball Federation certification courses, including Level 5, the highest certification available, an accomplishment she completed in 1998. She also holds Level 5 certification from the Australian Softball Federation.
Since 2004, O’Mara has been featured as an instructor and lecturer by the Australian Softball Federation on the topics of pitching and catching. She has also served as Battery coach for the Australian U-19 Women’s Squad from 2004 to 2007 working with State Institute players throughout Australia.
During 2005 and 2006, O’Mara served as pitching coach at the Australian Institute of Sport’s pitching camp. Her first national level coaching experience came in 1998 when she served as the battery coach for the NSW U-14 team.
O’Mara got her coaching start with Manly Warringah where she coached from 1988 until 2007 serving as head coach, assistant coach and battery coach at various times. As a player O’Mara starred with NSW Schoolgirls in 1986 while winning a national championship before moving on to play with the Manly Warringah Open Squad from 1991-1996.
O’Mara was honored with Life Membership of Manly Warringah Softball Association in 2005.
She also brings over 20 years of service in the financial industry with her to Troy. O’Mara acquired her Diploma of Financial Services in 1997 which certified her as a Financial Planner after serving as a loan officer and sales manager in the Australian banking industry.
O’Mara recently received her bachelor of arts degree in physical education.
Under O’Mara’s direction, Troy’s pitching rotation of three freshmen picked up 29 of the Trojans’ 31 wins in 2012. 17 of those wins came from Ashley Rainey, who under O’Mara’s guidance picked up three Sun Belt Pitcher of the Week Awards in 2012, as well as being named to the All-Sun Belt First Team. Freshman Jaycee Affeldt also earned a Sun Belt Conference Pitcher of the Week honor.
A 2012 graduate of the NCAA Women’s Coaches Academy, O’Mara helped guide the freshman pitching rotation to wins over then eighth-ranked Louisiana-Lafayette, as well as wins over #21 Auburn and #22 Florida State.
During the 2011 season, the Trojans finished with a record of 32-27. Senior pitcher Ashlyn Williams finished a stellar career at Troy under O’Mara’s guidance with some impressive numbers.
In 2011, Williams earned the first ever NFCA Top Performer of the Week Award in Troy’s history and was named Sun Belt Pitcher of the Week twice. Williams also recorded 288 strikeouts, which brought her career total to 1,305, which ranks as the 17th highest total all-time in NCAA Division I history. Williams also finished her career with 93 wins and 25 shutouts.
During the 2010 season, the Trojans’ pitching staff finished with an ERA of 2.83 - and just 2.12 in Sun Belt Conference play - with then-junior pitcher Ashlyn Williams breaking Troy’s single-season strikeout record. She recorded 402 strikeouts, breaking the record she set in the previous season.
During the 2009 season, O’Mara’s first with Troy, the Trojans pitching staff finished with a 38-19 record. Under O’Mara’s guidance, pitcher Ashlyn Williams earned first team All-Sun Belt honors, was named a Sun Belt Pitcher of the Week, and garnered All-Region honors. Williams finished the 2009 season with a 25-13 record and broke Troy’s single season strikeout record (312).
Before coming to Troy, O’Mara coached six Australian national championship teams.
O’Mara, a native of New South Wales, Australia, served as the pitching coach for the New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) since 2006. There she helped guide the team to a National Championship in January 2008 with one of her pitchers being named Pitcher of the Tournament after throwing a no-hitter in the finals.
Additionally, the NSW U-19 squad earned a national championship that same month. O’Mara has also coached multiple U-16 teams to National Championships including titles from 2003-2005 and 2001 along with a 3rd place finish in 2002.
O’Mara’s coaching experience is not limited to Australia; as in May 2010, she was selected as the pitching coach for the Venezuelan National Team and helped the team to their highest-ever world ranking. Venezuela finished fifth at the 2010 World Championships held in Caracas, Venezuela. In the lead up to the World Championships, O’Mara also assisted the Venezuelan national team in a five-game exhibition series against the NPF Professional Team, USSSA Pride.
In August 2010, O’Mara also instructed pitching for West Coast Softball Academy at camps in Vancouver, British Columbia and Alberta, Canada. She had previously instructed in Canada in 2005, and also served as the pitching instructor at the Higher Ground Softball Camp in Georgia.
“We have been successful recruiting in Australia in the past and having Sharon on our staff sends a strong message to the elite athletes of Australia as to the success and strength of our softball program as well as Troy University,” Troy head coach Melanie Davis said.
O’Mara has completed multiple International Softball Federation certification courses, including Level 5, the highest certification available, an accomplishment she completed in 1998. She also holds Level 5 certification from the Australian Softball Federation.
Since 2004, O’Mara has been featured as an instructor and lecturer by the Australian Softball Federation on the topics of pitching and catching. She has also served as Battery coach for the Australian U-19 Women’s Squad from 2004 to 2007 working with State Institute players throughout Australia.
During 2005 and 2006, O’Mara served as pitching coach at the Australian Institute of Sport’s pitching camp. Her first national level coaching experience came in 1998 when she served as the battery coach for the NSW U-14 team.
O’Mara got her coaching start with Manly Warringah where she coached from 1988 until 2007 serving as head coach, assistant coach and battery coach at various times. As a player O’Mara starred with NSW Schoolgirls in 1986 while winning a national championship before moving on to play with the Manly Warringah Open Squad from 1991-1996.
O’Mara was honored with Life Membership of Manly Warringah Softball Association in 2005.
She also brings over 20 years of service in the financial industry with her to Troy. O’Mara acquired her Diploma of Financial Services in 1997 which certified her as a Financial Planner after serving as a loan officer and sales manager in the Australian banking industry.
O’Mara recently received her bachelor of arts degree in physical education.
Player Postgame Press Conference (Luke Hodge, Tray Taylor) - No. 8 Clemson
Sunday, September 07
Gerad Parker Postgame Press Conference - No. 8 Clemson
Sunday, September 07
Troy at No. 8 Clemson (Full Highlights)
Sunday, September 07
Josh Lauer Postgame Press Conference - Jackson State
Saturday, September 06
