Can you describe your feelings as a coach when the 2020 season was canceled and seeing it over not just for the entire team but the careers of seniors, Abby (Buie), Mandi (Roemmich) and Sarah (Maddox)?
 
Coach Griffith: It might have been the biggest shock of my life, honestly. I think we expected to possibly be suspended for a few weeks, but we did not expect the entire season to be canceled. It was a huge punch to the gut. I'm not saying it was the wrong decision because I completely agree with it. That was just something I never thought would ever happen.
 
Playing softball, and sports in general, is such a way of life for our student-athletes' lives. They've worked their bodies and minds in every possible way. They've sacrificed countless hours to be the best in the classroom and on the field. They've experienced some of their highest highs and lowest lows. And they did it all for the love of the game. For that to end so abruptly and unexpectedly is an extremely hard thing to handle, especially for our seniors. I am the saddest for them in that they don't get the opportunity to finish on their own terms. It's one thing to strikeout with the bases loaded to end the game in the conference tournament, but it's a whole different thing to not even get the chance to bat.
 
What made you decide to get into coaching?
 
Coach Griffith: Coaching runs in my family so I feel like I was almost groomed to coach throughout my time growing up. When practicing with my parents, there was always more to the teaching than just the physical aspect of the game. They instilled in me the ideals of a strong leader and to be a good teammate. They also passed on their enormous passion for softball.  When I got to college, that love for the game made coaching an obvious career choice for me.
 
How would you describe your coaching style and philosophy?
           
Coach Griffith: To me, my job is about so much more than just coaching a sport. Yes, I want my players to have success in softball and academics. But at the end of the day, my goal is for them to be good people. I want to give them the tools to go out and be leaders in their profession. I want them to have great confidence in their abilities while also having compassion for those less fortunate. I want them to enjoy their time playing softball at Drake but realize that throughout the journey, there is so much more to it than just wins and losses.
 
Who or what has influenced you to become the coach you are today?
 
Coach Griffith: Growing up with parents that coached softball, I was constantly at the softball field. I had the opportunity to watch so many great coaches from high school to division I and everywhere in between, people like Todd Miracle, Keith Campbell, Bob Timmons, Gayle Blevins, and Rich Calvert.  I've had the privilege to play for multiple longtime, highly-successful coaches as well in my dad (Steve Schlafke) and Sandy Montgomery. Each of these people helped to mold me into the coach I am today.
 
What are some similarities and differences between you and head coach Rich Calvert?
 
Coach Griffith: Rich and I are very similar in that we love to joke around and have fun.  Neither of us use an authoritarian style of coaching. We want our student-athletes to have input and to be able to come to us with anything. We both love our student-athletes as if they were our own kids.  We are definitely different in our decision-making timetable. When Rich has an idea, he puts it into play almost immediately. When I think of something, I need time to think it over and then think it over some more. We work well together because sometimes I have to slow him down, and sometimes he has to speed me up.
 
What attracted you to Drake?
 
Coach Griffith: My dad went to pharmacy school at Drake when I was young. I went to countless softball/basketball games and clinics growing up. I could tell from a young age that there was something special about Drake. When I got the opportunity to become a volunteer assistant a year out of college, I jumped at the chance.  For me, Drake is the perfect fit. You have Division I athletics coupled with prestigious academics all in a small, tight-knit community.  Plus, I am close to home and my family. It doesn't get much better than that.
 
What do you like to do in your free time?
 
Coach Griffith: During the season when we're on the road (which is most of the time), the coaching staff plays cards constantly. We're all very competitive so it gets pretty heated. Outside of softball, my free time revolves around my kids so I don't know if it would actually be considered "free" time. My husband (Calvin) and I have three young kids who are 5 years, 4 years and 10 months old. We're constantly on the go trying to keep up with them!
 
What do you enjoy most about being a part of the Drake softball program?
 
Coach Griffith: I absolutely love the people. I'm amazed everyday by the tenacity and work ethic of our players. The fact that they can compete at the highest level on the field while also excelling in extremely difficult coursework blows me away. I love getting to work with Rich and Tina (DeAngelo) every day. They are some of my favorite people in the world and honestly my best friends. I also have so many great support staff members that make my job that much easier…athletic trainers, academic success staff, strength and conditioning gurus, equipment room staff, sports information directors, etc. I'm truly surrounded by exceptional people at Drake.