Future First, Softball Second: College Planning for Softball Athletes & Parents
Are you ready to own the college planning process as a softball family? Then you’re in the right place! I’m your host, Quincy Lewis-Buggs, and I’m a former DI, D2, and D3 college coach, D2 pitcher, and education/athletic administration major. Join me (along with some amazing guests) as we discuss college planning, finding your perfect fit, academics, and more!
COMMUNITY: https://www.diamonddynamics.org/connect-with-us.html
CONNECT: Quincy@diamonddynamics.org
WORK WITH ME: https://www.diamonddynamics.org/work-with-us.html
Episodes
109 episodes
107: NFCA Convention Updates
In this episode, Quincy Lewis-Buggs discusses the latest updates from the National Fast Pitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Convention, focusing on potential changes in NCAA rules regarding communication dates for Division I athletes, eligibility ...
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16:55
106: What Should the Off Season Look Like // COACHING SESSION
This week's episode dives into the listen submission "I am the parent of a 2028 and a 2030. Realistically what should off season training look like if they want to play in college someday? It seems like what we hear from college coaches about i...
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19:16
105: Progress is Made in the Boring
This week Quincy Lewis-Buggs dives into growth, patience, and the importance of embracing the more mundane off season aspects of the recruiting process to achieve long-term success. Connect with us:
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17:08
REMINDER: Take the Break!
I'm working on practicing what I preach and taking some time away from softball this week to spend with family, I wanted to pop on with a quick reminder for you all to do the same! Connect with us:
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1:46
104: College Coaches Are Not Superhuman // COACHING SESSION
As we dive into the world of college softball, it’s so important to understand the hectic lives of college coaches during the fall season. In this episode of Future First Softball Second, Quincy Lewis-Buggs shares what her schedule looked like ...
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21:23
103: Mastering Your Mindset with Mental Coach Bekah Good
In this episode, Quincy spends time with mental performance and college softball coach Bekah Good! They discuss the importance of process orientation when failure is common in our sport, focusing on actionable steps rather than overwhelming out...
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46:22
102: Fall Convos with Coaches
This week on the podcast I dive into some popular conversations I've had this fall with college softball coaches out at showcases and they're identifying athletes to recruit! Connect with us:
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15:36
101: We Feel Like We're Doing Everything We Should Be // COACHING SESSION
In this coaching session, I break down the next steps for softball players in junior year who feel they’re doing everything right to play in college but aren’t building the relationships they hoped for yet!
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16:59
100: 10(0) Things I Needed to Hear in High School
To celebrate our 100th episode, I reflected back on my own time going through the process as a student-athlete and share the top 10 things I needed to hear back then. Head over to I...
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31:53
99: Recruiting Timelines
In this episode, I discuss the complexities of the recruiting process for softball athletes, focusing on the timelines for offers, the behind-the-scenes factors that influence college coaches' decisions, and the importance of understanding scho...
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18:26
98: It's our First Showcase Season // COACHING SESSION
This week on the podcast I give some guidance to a parent reaching out for advice as they attend softball showcases and dive into recruiting for the first time with their athlete this fall!
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13:38
97: The Richmonds on Family, Recruiting, and Love of the Game
This week I welcome Allie (former D1 softball player, travel coach and recruiting coordinator) and Paul Richmond (father of 2 D1 softball players and current Horseheads HS coach), a father-daughter duo deeply involved in the softball world. The...
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43:20
96: Your Athletic Resume // COACHING SESSION
In today's coaching session episode I dive into the pieces that should be in your athletic resume, when to start working on it, and more! SUBMIT YOUR OWN QUESTIONCo...
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27:16
95: 5 Things Underclassmen Can Learn From Juniors
In today's episode I dive into some of the consistent themes that have come up in conversations with our underclassmen as they watch the juniors go through the process of connecting with college softball coaches! Conne...
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14:21
94: Multi-Sport Athlete Life // COACHING SESSION
This week on the podcast I dive into this listener submission: "My athlete is a high level softball player and a high level volleyball player. She’s done travel and high school for both successfully up to this point but she’s just starting soph...
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14:59
93: Advice for Juniors Who Didn't get the Interest They Wanted
With so much buzz going around the softball community this week I wanted to dive into some thoughts for the athletes who didn't get the interest they wanted or expected on 9/1 from D1 coaches. Connect with us:
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18:05
92: The September 1st Crazy // COACHING SESSION
After 13 listener questions came in about September 1st coming up and D1 communication starting for the juniors, I wanted to touch on it all! It's important to remember that September 1st is one day of a years long process, and each athlete is ...
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23:46
91: End of Summer Thoughts
Today's episode is a hodgepodge of thoughts from across this summer that kept coming up! I'll cover everything from commitment timelines, to camp invites, to how coaches do things differently than other coaches! Connec...
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24:06
90: Trying not to Panic as a 2029 (Freshman) Parent // COACHING SESSION
This week's episode dives into a coaching session that came about after a parent listened to our last coaching session episode about being an uncommitted 2026 (senior). We head to the opposite end of the process and chat about those just ...
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27:02
89: Making the Most of August/September
In this week's episode I dive into four main things you should focus on the next two months that include: resting, camping, reseting, and evaluating your plan! Connecting with college coaches is a 12 month commitment, and those that treat it th...
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16:47
88: Hitting the Panic Button as a 2026 (Rising Senior) // COACHING SESSION
Today on the podcast I have a tough conversation geared towards those of you who are uncommitted 2026s (rising seniors). I dive into why you may not have the offers you wanted, how to develop relationships with college coaches late in the proce...
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24:09
87: Researching Teams During Tryout Season
In this week's episode I dive into researching potential teams, what questions to ask, and what red flags to look for! Your travel softball ball team plays such a big part of your ability to connect with college softball coaches and it's a huge...
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18:46
86: The Fear of Missing Out // COACHING SESSION
On this week's episode I chat about how to overcome the struggle of balancing your day to day life while also working to play college softball. I'm a big believer in using the word AND as much as possible. It can be getting a workout in AND spe...
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21:35
85: 7 Conversations with College Coaches This Summer
On this week's episode I dive into seven conversations I've been having with college softball coaches this summer as I've been out at showcase events connecting with everyone from local junior college coaches to Power 4 coaches in Colorado last...
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14:53