If you’ve been following the WCSA for any length of time, you’ll recognize Samara as a staple. A constant presence. For many players and coaches across the league, the only version of SAIT they’ve ever known is one where Samara is on the mound. That kind of longevity is rare. It’s even rarer at an institution where most student-athletes compete for two years. But Samara’s path was never typical.
When she first arrived at SAIT, Samara didn’t expect to be part of the program for long. Like many students, she was still figuring out her academic direction, moving through open studies and several programs before eventually finding her path in pharmacy. Through all of that change, softball stayed constant. By the end of her second year, walking away didn’t feel right. One more season became five, including a final year where she chose to take additional courses simply so she could keep playing.
Over time, Samara became a familiar figure across the league. Season after season, she showed up, took on responsibility, and became someone teammates and opponents alike expected to see. That steadiness was especially noticeable in pressure-filled moments. When asked about her composure, Samara’s answer is simple and honest:
“From a young age, the biggest thing I’ve relied on is just breathing. It sounds simple, but in the middle of a tough inning it can be the hardest thing to remember.”
– Samara Sawyer, SAIT Trojans Fastpitch
She speaks openly about learning how to slow things down, block out negative thoughts, and stay grounded when games felt heavy. It wasn’t about trying to control everything, but about staying centered enough to handle what came next.
That mindset showed up early. In her very first game with SAIT, Samara was given the ball to open the season in Saskatchewan. There were nerves. There was excitement. But there was also a sense that staying level mattered more than anything else. Looking back, she sees that moment as setting the tone for how she approached the rest of her career, focused on keeping moments from getting too big.
Across five seasons, Samara carried what comes with being a long-standing player. Expectations. Responsibility. The pressure to continue growing while balancing school, work, and life. There were setbacks along the way, including stretches where things didn’t come easily. Reflecting on those moments, she points to patience and perspective as lessons she had to learn over time:
“Early on, I put a lot of pressure on myself to be perfect right away, but I’ve learned that growth comes from consistency, not instant results.”
That idea, consistency over perfection, became central to how she moved through the program. It also shaped how she approached leadership. Samara led primarily by example, showing what it looked like to stay composed, keep working, and remain committed even when things were difficult. Over time, she also grew more comfortable speaking up when teammates needed encouragement, always aiming to support rather than direct. For many younger players, Samara has always been part of the fabric of the program. They’ve never known this team, or this league, without her. She took that role seriously, not as a title, but as a responsibility.
When asked what she hopes people remember most about her time at SAIT, Samara doesn’t talk about wins or statistics. Instead, she reflects on something much simpler and much harder to sustain over five years:
“I hope the team remembers me as someone who was fully committed to the program—both on and off the field. More than wins or statistics, I want them to recall the effort, positivity, and consistency I brought each day.”
She continues by pointing to what mattered most to her throughout the journey:
“If my time here showed anything, I hope it’s that dedication, teamwork, and respect for the game make a lasting impact. Most of all, I hope they remember that I cared deeply about this team.”
– Samara Sawyer, SAIT Trojans Fastpitch
That sentiment captures the Samara era better than any stat line ever could. Five years of showing up. Five years of staying steady. Five years of caring deeply in a league where time moves quickly and faces change often.
The jersey may come off, but for many across the WCSA, it will feel strange not to see Samara there. And that, more than anything, speaks to the impact she leaves behind.
