Coach LeMaire brings winning culture to NSU softball

By Isabella Fernandez De Cueto

Softball head coach Julie LeMaire begins her ninth season after leading the Sharks in 2023 to its first regional championship and World Series appearance in program history.

LeMaire grew up on a farm outside Quincy, Ill. She played four seasons of collegiate softball at Quincy University, where she set single season and career records in home runs and was named a Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-Region and All-Great Lakes Conference Selection in 2004.

During her youth softball career, LeMaire knew coaching was something she wanted to do. But, it wasn’t until she experienced college athletics that she realized this was the path she wanted to take.

“I feel like I knew at a young age, but once I started college, I immediately had an interest in becoming a coach. I knew this was what I wanted to do,” LeMaire said.

LeMaire’s coaching career began at the University of North Dakota as a graduate assistant. She went on to coach at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Fort Hays State University, and Emporia State University.

Despite being from the Midwest and coaching there for several seasons, LeMaire had always intended to return to Florida. When a position opened at NSU, it was an easy decision for her.

“With NSU’s weather and location, along with the great resources we have here, it was a no brainer for me to come back down to South Florida. It’s been a great move,” LeMaire said.

LeMaire has seen major changes in the program during her tenure. She went from a 12-39 record her first season in 2015 to the program’s first-ever Sunshine State Conference Coach of the Year, Sunshine State Conference title, Super Regional appearance, Regional Championship, and World Series berth in 2022 and 2023.

LeMaire’s success may be attributed to the hard work she puts in and expects from her players.

“I have high demands for my student-athletes, so it’s important for me to set the standard. If they see me work hard for them and the program, it makes it easier when I expect and demand it out of them,” LeMaire said.

Although LeMaire can be tough on her team, she also makes it a point to connect with her student-athletes and show her appreciation for them.

“I do show the players tough love, but I’m able to connect with them while also being their authority figure. I have been fortunate to have great girls put their trust in me to take them to the highest level,” LeMaire said.

Alexis Smith, graduate student, sports science major on the softball team, said she appreciates LeMaire’s tough love style.

“I would describe coach LeMaire simply as passionate. She’s not only passionate about softball, but also about her players as women once they leave the program. She has so much experience at this level and really utilizes all of it to make her teams successful,” Smith said. “Female softball coaches have a reputation of being ‘meaner’ than males, but she is a great balance of being tough on us and ensuring that we enjoy our experience with her.”

LeMaire and the Sharks are excited to build off last season’s success and have an even better season this spring.

“The last couple of years we finally got a taste of what championships look like. We want to have an even better year than last year. We have veteran players and leaders who know what it takes and are willing to mentor the new players. It’s exciting,” LeMaire said.