Lewis coaching softball and basketball at Spring City Middle School and Rhea County High School

9/19/23 Spring City, TN

Amy Lewis, who is back home doing what she loves. Amy is a Physical Education Teacher at Spring City Middle School. She is the assistant coach for Spring City Middle School softball since May, 2022. She is an assistant coach for Rhea County High School softball since 2021. She is head coach for the Spring City girl's basketball team. Amy loves coaching and is glad to be back in Rhea County. For many high school athletes, moving on to next level in their respective sport is only realized for a handful of athletes. Even fewer land their choice one day to return to their home and coach. Amy Lewis has seen her dream become reality. Amy is the daughter of Ricky and Tammy Lewis. She was born December 21, 1997. She has a sister April. She has a BS in Health and Physical Education/Fitness(2020) and a Master of Education Curriculum and Instruction(2023).

Amy signed with UTC and played softball for four years. Lewis saw her senior year cancelled after 21 games due to COVID-19. She played 124 games during her 4-year career. She was Southern Conference All-Academic team 3 years. She was on Dean's List and AD's Honor Roll. She was part of a 37-17 UTC softball team that captured the SoCon Tournament title with dominant win to earn trip to NCAA Tournament Regional round. She was also selected to the Freshman All-Conference team.

Before her time at UTC, Amy was 3-year letter earner for RCHS softball and earned All-District for 3 seasons. Named First Team All-District 2014-2016. She earned District Player of the Year in 2015 and Most Valuable Player in 2016. Amy also was 2-year letter winner in basketball. In her junior year at Rhea County, Amy batted .481 with 51 hits, 33 runs scored, 14 stolen bases and 28 RBI. She was 2-time Best of Preps honoree. She played for Leah Price at Rhea County and played for Chattanooga Force Travel Team with coaches Dale Jones and Ian Raymond. She was always considered a hard worker on and off the field. She began playing softball when she was 5 years old. She always had a love for the game. Softball was her entire life as a kid and seems like it is still a major focus for Amy today.

At her high school signing ceremony, her coach Leah Price said,  “I am proud for her.  This has been a goal for her She will be far enough away to get the College experience and still be close to home. It is extra special to have someone like her.  She works hard, has played all year round to get better.”

Amy answered a few questions about her journey from Rhea County and back again.

What advice do you have for a student-athlete who is looking to play at the college level?

Any student athlete preparing for colleges just needs to work hard not only on the field but off the field. The best thing any player can do is put in the extra work that no one else sees.

What is your best memory at UTC?

"My best memory I had at UTC was no doubt being the Southern Conference Champions and getting a ring. The whole experience of watching a selection show and playing in a regional was incredible!"

Talk about the effect Covid had on your last season at UTC?

"When Covid shortened my season, it was heartbreaking mainly because it was my senior year. We were actually in the middle of a tournament in Florida when it all went down. We had to leave immediately. I had no idea that my last game of softball ever had been played until a month later. I had the opportunity to take another year, but I had already had plans to student teach in Rhea county and coach. It was a tough decision to make."

What have been some of the hardest roadblocks to being successful in college?

"The toughest part about being a student-athlete was learning time management. I was always busy whether it was 6 am workouts, required study hall, classes, practice, and homework. I was also dating a guy from UTK (now my fiancé) and trying to make time to see him was very tough to do with my busy schedule."

Talk about your journey since graduating UTC?

"Since graduating from UTC, I completed my student teaching and got me a PE teaching/coaching job at Spring City Middle School. I coach middle school basketball, softball, and high school softball. I also just completed my master's degree in education a few months ago."

Talk about the challenges of learning the aspects of being a successful coach?

"The hardest part about coaching is being so busy all the time with long practices and games. I am always getting home late. I would not change it for the world because I love what I do, but it’s definitely tough not seeing my family as much when I’m in season."

What are area that you want to improve on to become a better coach?

"Things I need improve on before becoming a head coach is getting more experience with administration side of coaching whether that be scheduling games, fundraising, etc. As an assistant coach, I have already learned so much from coach Randy Mathis. He has helped me a lot and is getting me prepared to one day be a head coach."

Talk about any special friendships you have formed over the years around softball.

"The person I played softball with the most growing up is Hailey Galvan. We started playing together in middle school and played all the way through high school together. We went on to different colleges to play, but here we are both back in Rhea County coaching against each other!"

Who are some of players you played with or against that stuck out as special?

"Some of the best offensive players I played with throughout my softball career was no doubt Aly Walker at UTC. I never seen anyone be so consistent and clutch at the plate. She always had the best average every season."

"One of the best defensive players I played with through my career was Alyssa Coppinger in college. She had one of the best arms I have ever seen. She made one of the ESPN top 10 plays while at UTC."

Do you have any hobbies or other interests outside of coaching and teaching?

"Hobbies of mine outside of school and coaching include spending time with my family and playing a lot of pickleball with my friends!"

"I am so happy to be teaching and coaching at Rhea County. I love this school and the people in this community. There’s no better place to work. I love coaching these young girls and sharing my love for the game with them!"