Megan Betsa Goes 7 Innings with FPN
On this edition of “7 Innings” we talk with former Michigan three-time All-American pitcher, Megan Betsa, who is beginning her first season as an assistant coach at UT-Chattanooga. Betsa comes to the Mocs after spending last season as an assistant coach at New Mexico. The move gets Betsa closer to her hometown of McDonough, Georgia.
Betsa ranks in the top five among Wolverine career leaders in nearly every pitching category including second in no-hitters (6); third in wins (102) and strikeouts (1,201); and fourth in shutouts (37). Betsa helped lead the 2015 Wolverines to a Big Ten title and to the Women’s College World Series, finishing as runner-ups with a 60-8 overall record. We talk with the two-time Big Ten Pitcher of Year about her decision to go into coaching after her playing career; what Betsa learned from playing for Wolverines Head Coach, Carol Hutchins; her playing status in pro level; her thoughts on the Mocs 2019 season and more.
Eric Lopez (ELO) : What led you to your recent decision to retire from playing?
Megan Betsa : I’m not actually retiring from playing. I retired from the NPF league in order to broaden my horizons and potentially play elsewhere. I fully intend on playing as soon as I am healed and ready to go. This game is so much fun to me and I am so passionate about it. I will play and coach this sport as long as my body lets me!
ELO : What led you to join the Mocs’ staff?
Betsa : I had planned on moving closer to home in May to rehab and try to make it to play overseas this season. My surgery kept getting pushed back and I quickly realized I wouldn’t be ready to play again this year. Coach Reed contacted me and asked if I would be interested in becoming a part of the program and I saw it as an opportunity to continue to learn and stay involved in the game while I take a break from playing.
ELO : What has the transition been like as you get to know the girls and they get to know you as well as the pitchers you have to work with?
Betsa : It’s always tough at first to come into a successful program and have a different style than what was already here. The girls have been amazing in the aspect of being a sponge and absorbing everything I am trying to teach them. I am still really young so I have a lot to learn, but I like to think that everything we are doing is going to prepare them for season!
ELO : What is your coaching style and who influenced that style?
Betsa : I don’t necessarily think I have a “style.” Every situation is different. Every athlete is different in terms of what they need. Sometimes they need calming and someone to just understand what is going on. Other times they need a fire under them. I think knowing and understanding when they need one vs the other is extremely important and imperative to our success as a pitching staff.
ELO : What did you learn from Hutch?
Betsa : Wow this question is extremely tough. I learned more lessons from Hutch than I have learned from anyone in 23 years. I have never met a more strong-willed, go getting, passionate, understanding woman. She is an ambassador not only for softball, but for women’s equality in sports. She was an integral part in how I matured, transformed, grew, and succeeded in my 4 years. Leave everything better than you found it, work hard day in and day out, be a great leader and a great teammate, softball isn’t who you are it’s what you do. These are some of the biggest things that stick out to me and the way they transfer over into my life outside of softball shows how much more she cares about you as a human than as a softball player. That is what makes her different and that is what makes her so great at what she does.
ELO : Have you had a chance to reflect on your Michigan career and what is first thing that you think of when you think of your career?
Betsa : I did a lot of reflecting as soon as my career ended and then you learn to go on with everyday life. You can’t just sit and think about the past all of the time or you won’t grow. The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of my career is gratitude. I had an AMAZING opportunity that so many people dream of. I went to a top 5 university and got my degree, I played for a top 10 softball program, I played for the winningest coach in college softball, I had incredible relationships with the other assistant coaches (Bonnie and Jen), and I made lasting friendships with amazing women. I got to travel places I never would have otherwise. I played in front of thousands of people in the World Series TWICE! However, my career was about so much more than just winning and losing softball games. My four years shaped me into the hardworking, honest, humble, strong-minded woman that I am. I showed up to Michigan as a girl and I left a woman. I don’t know how many other programs make that type of impact on your life.
ELO : What is going to be the key for your pitchers and the team to have success and accomplish your internal goals in 2019?
Betsa : The keys are the same that any other team in the country has! Coming in every single day and working hard, not just when it is easy or convenient. Playing for the person to their left and the person to their right is huge in this sport. Never getting complacent and continuing to get 1% better every day. If they can manage to do these things then we will be successful.
