Pre-Signing Preview: New York Pitcher Megan Schumacher On Her SEC School Choice… “It Felt Like Home”

Over the next few days we’ll be spotlighting talented players in the Class of 2019 who will be signing to play softball at the collegiate level starting Wednesday when the official Signing Period kicks off.

If you would like to submit information, please click on the following article link and follow the steps to send in your photos and text: Class of 2019 Signees: Send Us Your Signing Photos & Signing Info!

In this preview, we hear from one of the top pitches on the East Coast who is SEC-bound… but it didn’t appear that way at first as she was originally committed to a program close to home–until the head coach left and took the job at, yes, Mizzou!

You can follow that crazy recruiting journey in Megan’s first-person account titled: When the College Coach Who Recruits You Changes Schools: Megan Schumacher’s Story!

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Player Name: MEGAN SCHUMACHER
Club Team: Birmingham Thunderbolts 18U Premier
High School (City/ST): John Jay-East Fishkill (East Fishkill, New York)
Position(s): Pitcher
College: Missouri

1. Where will you be signing your Letter of Intent this week?
I’ll be signing my NLI at my high school.

2. Will it be a big occasion or more low-key?
It’s going to be pretty big. My family, coaches, teachers, administrators, teammates, friends, trainers and some of the other sports teams will be there helping me celebrate.

3. Will you do anything to celebrate the big day?
We will have a nice party at school and then go out to dinner with my family.

4. What date did you actually commit and how long ago was it?
I committed August 17th.

5. What highlight stands out to you about the recruiting process?
The recruiting process can seem overwhelming at times, but I believe everything happens for a reason. I tried to remember that during my journey. If something didn’t go as planned or as I had hoped I always remembered that what is meant to be will be and there was a reason.

6. What was the “aha” moment when you knew the program was the right one for you?
When I stepped on campus at Missouri I really felt like I was home. I felt like I had already been there and could see myself walking on campus, eating in the dining hall, playing in the stadium and especially being in the circle at Mizzou!

7. What will signing with your dream school mean to you personally and to those who’ve been part of your success (family, coaches, teammates, etc.)?
Signing my NLI means so much to me-that all my hard work has paid off and my dream of playing in the SEC is actually coming true! It’s surreal! My parents have always supported me in everything I do and are super happy to see me live out my dream. My pitching coach Julie Bolduc and strength and conditioning coaches Jerry and Jasmine North have been a huge part of my journey, giving me the tools I need and when I sign my NLI, I know I owe so much to them. I am so, so, so grateful to have had my parents, Julie, Jerry and Jasmine in my corner all these years!

8. How much gear/product do you have of your future school?
I have A LOT of Mizzou gear! Pretty much everything except socks and a scarf (laughs)!

9. What’s next for you and your softball plans this year?
My fall travel season has wrapped up and I will be continuing to work on increasing the bite of my pitches in the off season. I’ll continue in the weight room and doing strength and conditioning as well.

10. Did you ever think this day—signing with your dream school—would come?
It actually came up really fast. My senior year and NLI signing always seemed so far away and now I can’t believe it’s actually here!