Former OU Softball Pitcher Sam Landry Finds Peace at WCWS Before Launching Exciting New Career with AUSL
For Sam Landry, the echoes of roaring crowds and the smell of red dirt from the pitcher’s circle are now part of a past that helped shape her—but no longer define her. The former Oklahoma Sooners pitcher has closed the chapter on a high-level softball career that included grit, accolades, and the relentless pursuit of championships. But it was her final visit to the Women’s College World Series, not as a player but as a reflective observer, that marked the beginning of something more enduring: peace, clarity, and a new professional journey fueled by purpose. Landry is now preparing for an exciting transition into education and leadership, having accepted a role with the Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL), where she aims to impact lives beyond the diamond.
For someone who spent years perfecting her mechanics and commanding the circle, Landry’s ability to adapt, learn, and evolve is no surprise. During her time at OU, she was known not just for her competitive fire and precision pitching, but for her composure in pressure-packed situations. That same poise has accompanied her off the field as she now begins a career committed to community transformation and equity in education.
Landry’s journey to Oklahoma was rooted in both promise and potential. A Louisiana native and highly touted recruit, she began her college career at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where she quickly became one of the top pitchers in the Sun Belt Conference. Her breakout season caught national attention and established her as a force to be reckoned with. However, driven by a desire to compete at the highest level and immerse herself in a culture of national excellence, Landry made the difficult decision to transfer to Oklahoma—a program widely regarded as a dynasty in collegiate softball.
At Oklahoma, she found herself immersed in a culture that demanded greatness. The expectations were sky-high. Championship banners lined the outfield. All-Americans populated the roster. Media attention and pressure came with every pitch. And yet, it was in this crucible of elite competition that Landry forged not only her skill set but her character. She learned to lead without always being in the spotlight, to contribute in ways that weren’t always visible on ESPN highlight reels. She became a student of the game and of herself.
Though her time with the Sooners came with stiff competition for innings and a constant push to improve, it also gave Landry a new perspective on leadership and the importance of being a part of something larger than yourself. She began mentoring younger players, lending her voice in team meetings, and finding value in the intangible moments beyond the box score. Coaches praised her for being steady, supportive, and a voice of calm in the dugout, whether she was the starting pitcher or a role player that day.
Even as her playing days wound down, Landry remained an integral part of the Sooners’ culture. Her teammates often noted her positive energy, attention to detail, and willingness to do the unseen work that keeps a locker room cohesive. She was the kind of teammate who lifted others without needing credit. But like many elite athletes, there came a moment of reckoning—the realization that the final pitch had been thrown, the last team huddle had dispersed, and it was time to ask: what’s next?
The Women’s College World Series served as that turning point. Landry returned to Oklahoma City this past June, not in cleats and a visor, but in jeans and sneakers, walking the grounds as a spectator, not a participant. Still, the emotions ran deep. The sights, the sounds, the camaraderie—it all came rushing back. Yet, there was no bitterness or longing, only gratitude. Landry described the experience as cathartic, noting that it gave her the closure she didn’t even realize she needed. She watched the games from the stands, felt the energy from the fans, and reflected on what the sport had given her: confidence, resilience, and lifelong friendships.
She said that being there, as a fan rather than a competitor, allowed her to see her journey from a new angle. It was not about chasing one more season or wondering what could’ve been. It was about honoring what had been achieved and understanding that her story didn’t end there. It simply changed course.
That “what’s ahead” is a leap of a different kind. Landry will be joining the Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL), a nonprofit education management organization dedicated to transforming underperforming schools in historically underserved communities. Based in Chicago, AUSL partners with public schools to improve student achievement and build sustainable school cultures through teacher training, leadership development, and community engagement.
For Landry, the move into education is not a fallback—it’s a calling. During her time in college, she majored in education and often volunteered at local schools. She frequently spoke at youth events and became increasingly interested in the social and academic disparities that affect urban communities. It was during one of her off-seasons that she interned with a literacy nonprofit, and the experience stayed with her. She began to see education not just as a career, but as a form of justice. The same drive that once propelled her to strike out batters now fuels her desire to create safe, thriving spaces for children to learn and grow.
Education is where everything begins, she said. It’s where identities are formed, opportunities are opened, and cycles can be broken. I saw what happens when students are believed in—and I wanted to be a part of that.
Her role with AUSL will initially focus on coaching and training new teachers, helping them develop the instructional strategies, emotional intelligence, and cultural competence needed to thrive in high-needs environments. She’ll work with novice educators who are entering classrooms filled with both potential and challenges, helping to shape their practice and their mindset. Eventually, Landry hopes to become a principal or educational policy leader, advocating for equity at both the classroom and systemic level.
Though the transition from athlete to educator may seem stark, the skills Landry honed in softball—discipline, communication, resilience—translate seamlessly. In fact, AUSL officials praised Landry’s athletic background, noting that her leadership on the field mirrors the type of mentorship they hope to see in their schools. Her ability to prepare, perform, reflect, and adjust are all traits that serve both students and teachers well.
Sam brings a unique blend of excellence, empathy, and accountability, said AUSL Program Director Michelle Cardenas. Her experience as a collegiate athlete gives her a perspective that is both aspirational and grounded. Students will see in her someone who’s achieved great things, but who’s also committed to lifting others up.
Landry’s story is not just one of reinvention—it’s one of continuity. She may no longer be striking out batters or chasing championships, but she’s still driven by the same competitive spirit, only now the stakes are different. Instead of runs and records, the wins are measured in student growth, community trust, and transformative relationships.
She also remains deeply connected to the softball world. Landry plans to stay involved through coaching clinics, mentorship programs, and possibly media work down the line. She wants to be a resource for young athletes, especially women of color, navigating the dual challenges of competitive sports and career transitions. Her message to them is clear: your identity is not limited to what you do on the field.
There’s so much pressure to perform, to be the best, she said. But I’ve learned that who you are—your values, your impact, your joy—that’s what lasts. Softball gave me a platform, but now I get to use it in a new way.
Indeed, Landry’s next chapter may lack the glitter of trophies and the frenzy of game-day cheers, but it offers something far more enduring: purpose. In a world where athletes are often celebrated only for their statistics, her story is a powerful reminder that true greatness lies in the lives we touch and the legacy we build beyond the scoreboard.
As she prepares to begin this new journey with AUSL, Landry does so with the same focus and intentionality that once made her a standout pitcher. Only now, the field is broader, the stakes deeper, and the impact limitless. She is no longer defined by her wins and losses, but by her vision for a better future and her willingness to do the hard, often invisible work of building it.
People used to ask me, ‘What’s your next big game?’ Landry said with a smile. Now, I tell them—it’s every day, in every classroom, with every student. That’s my World Series now.
From strikeouts to schoolhouses, Sam Landry continues to inspire—not just with her talent, but with her heart, her courage, and her unwavering belief that change starts with showing up, standing tall, and giving your best. Always.
