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
116 episodes
112: What Coaches Won’t Say, But You Need to Know
In this episode, Quincy Lewis-Buggs shares valuable recruiting insights into the college recruiting process from the perspective of a former college softball coach. She discusses the often unspoken realities of recruitment, including how coache...
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25:10
111: Navigating Siblings and Recruiting // COACHING SESSION
In this episode, Quincy Lewis-Buggs discusses the challenges and strategies of managing sibling dynamics in sports, particularly in softball. Drawing from personal experiences, she emphasizes the importance of treating each athlete as an indivi...
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10:22
110: From Softball to Scrubs: Megan’s Journey to the PICU
In this episode, Quincy Lewis-Buggs interviews her sister Megan, who shares her journey from being a talented softball player to becoming a pediatric ICU nurse. They discuss the recruiting process, the challenges of balancing athletics with aca...
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24:46
109: The Parent Role // COACHING SESSION
In this coaching session episode, Quincy Lewis-Buggs discusses the vital role parents play in supporting their athlete's journey through the recruiting process. Emphasizing the importance of being a supportive parent rather than a recruiting co...
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18:36
108: The Recruiting Reset for 2026
As we head into the 2026 recruiting cycle, Quincy Lewis-Buggs dives into self-evaluation and reflection, planning for summer, and evaluating your list of schools for softball players who want to play in college. We're also celebrati...
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14:24
76 (x2). About Diamond Dynamics College Planning
While I'm away from the mic this week loving on our nieces, we're revisiting an old episode to share more about how we support families in the recruiting process and what our softball specific college planning program is all about! ...
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17:03
46 (x2). What Finding Your Fit Actually Means
With the holiday season I am away from the mic this week, and hope you all are enjoying some family time too! I went way back to 2024, and pulled out episode 46, What finding your first actually means just in case you’re spending some time in t...
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29:23
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