Any way you measure it, Jamison Noonan, a 16-year-old sophomore pitcher at Legion Collegiate Academy in Rock Hill, South Carolina is a tremendous success already.
When it comes to her beloved athletics, the 5-foot-11 pitcher from Fort Mill, S.C. and a member of Chris Crowe’s Bandits Elite Premier club team, led her prep squad to the state playoffs her freshman year and won the Rising Star Award for the Class of 2025 as given by the Greater Charlotte Hot Stove League in January of 2023.
She won the Coach’s Award in 2022 playing varsity softball at her school and was a Scenic City All-Star at 16U travel ball in the Fall of 2021. The two-sport athlete was also a team captain for her middle school basketball teams in the 7th and 8th grades.
In the classroom, Jamison has a 4.93 GPA and has made the Academic Deans List each semester of school so far. She is also in the Beta Club and is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars.
An impressive resume, to be sure, but it’s even more impressive when you learn that the sophomore was born legally deaf in both ears.
“Due to 85-to-90 percent hearing loss in both ears,” Jamison explains, “I’ve had hearing aids since I was 3 years old. I don’t see my hearing loss as a setback, really… rather, I look at it as something that I am able to overcome every day.”
Her perspective on life is inspiring as she’s appreciative of what she does have.
“I feel that my hearing loss only makes me a stronger, more confident person and athlete. I am also grateful to have parents, coaches, and teammates that have always supported me and never made me feel different.”
Coach Crowe explains how his prized athlete has thrived and turned what could have been a challenging situation into a positive and rewarding one.
“Jamison does wear hearing aids when on the mound,” he begins, “however, she has had to cut them down many times because of the crowd noise around her. But she can read lips extremely well and, a lot of times, we do hand gestures for calling pitches because—depending on the dugout we’re in— she can’t hear the calls.”
“But she is extremely smart on the mound, so Jamison understands the situations and how to deal with them.”
It also helps that the teenager throws in the low 60’s and has “incredible spin,” per her club head coach who adds: “she is currently being followed by 20-plus college coaches as she continues to get better every season.”
Though college coaches can’t contact Jamison directly until Sept. 1 of her junior year, that doesn’t mean they aren’t closely watching her and even asking Coach Crowe when she is going to pitch next.
“As her coach, Jamison has come a tremendously long way from the first day I got her to now and there truly isn’t a harder worker in the game,” her travel ball coach concludes.
“Between her pitching coaches, strength and conditioning coaches, her mental coaches etc., there usually isn’t a day she’s not working on bettering herself. Trust me when I say this: there isn’t a better teammate and young lady. Jamison is loved by her coaches and every teammate on her team.”
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We caught up with Jamison recently to learn more about her impressive journey… here’s what she had to say:
Extra Inning Softball: What’s been your most proud accomplishment in softball, be it club or high school?
Jamison Noonan: A standout accomplishment of mine is that I have had the opportunity to play on a varsity high school team since the 7th grade. This has helped me develop as a player by facing better competition at a young age. After I graduate, I will have a six-year varsity letter, which is something I’m proud of.
EIS: You still have time, but any idea of what you want to study or do for a career yet?
JN: My hope is to major in a science such as Biology or Chemistry and continue to go on to medical school to earn a MD degree. My mind is open to anything in the medical field, though I’m specifically interested in Neonatal care.
EIS: You said something interesting: “I feel that my hearing loss only makes me a stronger, more confident person and athlete.” How has it helped you become this way?
JN: I feel that my hearing loss makes me a stronger, more confident person and athlete. It’s something I’ve overcome and continue to overcome every day, and this gives me a sense of pride and confidence that I am able to still do all the things I love.
EIS: What has helped you be so positive and optimistic in life?
JN: Having a positive mindset isn’t easy, but I’ve found that it makes you and everyone else around you happier. I think I’m able to stay optimistic and positive because I am reminded everyday of how privileged I am to be able to do what I love and have the support of friends and family.
EIS: Tell us about your family and their support of you…
JN: My family is a huge part of my success. My parents truly are my biggest supporters, and I wouldn’t be the player I am today without them. I am forever grateful for them taking me to every camp I ask to go to, and never complaining about the tournaments that take up all of our weekends. I also have two younger sisters, Carson (age 13) and Sulli (8), who play softball as well. I enjoy spending time with them and helping each other practice.
EIS: Finally, what are you most proud of when it comes to your life and accomplishments (on or off the fields)?
JN: An accomplishment I am both proud and very grateful for is the improvement of my self-confidence and mental strength. With the help of my sports mentor, Paige Tonz, I have been able to completely transform my mindset in not only softball, but everyday life. Taking this step changed my whole game as I’ve seen promising results. In the span of a few years, I’ve gone from playing scared and timid, to being a confident athlete and teammate.
— Brentt Eads, Extra Inning Softball
