Sarah Kaufman is a Health and Physical Education teacher here at Warren Hills. She coaches the Varsity Volleyball Team and the JV Softball Team.

Kaufman said she always knew she wanted to be a coach.

“I started by running clinics through my high school softball team at North Hunterdon,” she said “We ran a clinic and a camp every year and I loved working with the younger girls and sharing my love for the sport.”

Kaufman has been involved in sports, especially softball,  her whole life.

“Growing up, both of my sisters played softball. With three kids, it was hard for my parents to be everywhere, so I had to play up with my older sister, so there were only two tournaments a weekend,” she said. “It was difficult, but it made me a better player overall and I loved taking the field with my sister. I now play slow pitch softball in some leagues with my younger sister and it is a great way to stay active and have fun with her.”

Kaufman plays in some leagues around the area (Hackettstown and High Bridge), and a travel tournament team as well.

“We travel all over the US to play in tournaments and the women on the team have become my family,” she said. “I love being able to take the field still and have fun with it all. I play almost every weekend in the spring and summer.”

With all her experience, Kaufman said she still felt anxious when taking on the softball coaching position.

“I was nervous at first because I was now in charge of teaching a group of young girls how to play this game and prepare them for the varsity level,” she said. “But then I sat back and said, ‘You’ve been playing this game for so long, just show them what you know and have fun with it.’”

Long before the season starts, Kaufman said she prepares to coach her new players.

“I start by setting goals, seeing what the team from the year before accomplished and what went well and what didn’t,” she said. “I work on making sure I have enough drills and concepts for the team to accomplish throughout the year.”

Kaufman said she enjoys seeing her players succeed.

“My favorite part is seeing an athlete finally master a skill. They look so surprised and you can see their confidence shoot through the roof,” she said. “I also love the group of people that I coach with; it makes work not seem like work.”