Ashlie Rowley, former University of Florida catcher and team captain, has spent more than 20 years developing athletes across every level of the game—from youth softball to collegiate competition and beyond.
After her playing career, she went on to coach at the University of Tennessee, contributing to a Women’s College World Series run and earning recognition as part of an SEC and regional coaching staff of the year. Today, she is the founder of Colorado Softball Academy, CSA Foundation, and Futures Fastpitch, while also serving as a high school head coach and leading the softball division at PitchCom, where she works to grow the game through innovation and athlete development.
But for Ashlie, coaching has never been just about performance.
In this episode of The Coach & Counselor, we dive into what it truly takes to develop athletes in today’s game—from navigating recruiting and the realities of injuries, to building confidence, accountability, and resilience that lasts beyond the field. Ashlie shares her philosophy on developing the whole athlete and the responsibility coaches and parents carry in shaping that journey.
We also explore the evolving landscape of youth and college softball, the impact of the transfer portal and NIL, and how to create environments that challenge athletes while still supporting their growth as people.
If you’re a coach, parent, or athlete who cares about mindset, leadership, and building better athletes on and off the field, this episode is packed with insight you won’t want to miss.
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Watch Here: https://youtu.be/w83rF9Hb2WY?si=sNK8vhBeO0CmRnzT
Tony Gilio 