Erika Smyth (B.S. ’15) came to the U of M in 2011 on an athletic scholarship. A skilled softball player at second base and in the batter’s box, Smyth started every game during her first two years as a Gopher. When a new coach came and started heavily recruiting players, Smyth was excited.

On the flip side, those new recruits proved “better, faster and stronger,” says Smyth, which led her to a new team role as a pinch hitter and defensive substitution. The switchup was a “whirlwind,” but instead of being frustrated, Smyth took it in stride, solidifying herself as an invaluable teammate and relationship builder. She’s the only Gopher softball player to be voted Teammate of the Year in consecutive years.

Something else profound happened during that same time. Smyth started paying more attention to the coaches: analyzing and processing their decisions, watching how they interacted with players.

“Once in that environment, I started to thrive,” says the Washington state native. “I started to think I could be a coach because I understood both sides—I’ve been the star player, and then I’ve been someone that didn’t cut it on a great team. My coaches gave me purpose, regardless of my role on the team. That’s how I want other girls to feel when in that position. That’s where the spark started.”

That spark turned into a fire. After graduation and a brief detour into IT, Smyth found an opportunity with a baseball strength and development business looking to start a softball program. Thus began her full-time coaching career. Eventually, Smyth struck out on her own, becoming owner and general manager of Catalyst Softball Academy (formerly Starters Softball) in 2022.

“Women’s sports has been exploding and so has its value,” she says. “When I started with the baseball business, we had three teams, and then we got up to 10. We were designated only three batting cages with hundreds of girls wanting to be a part of it. It was at the point where we were so over capacity, I didn’t feel like a priority.”

Through Catalyst Softball Academy, which has facilities in Savage, Minnesota, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Smyth provides girls and women aged 6-24 with batting cages, bullpens, and weight rooms to develop their softball skills, offering year-round programs and data-driven player development to around 800 athletes annually. Smyth says the academy has helped more than 60 athletes secure college scholarships (including to the University of Minnesota).

Catalyst employs several contracted and part-time coaches, mostly former collegiate-level softball players, including star Gopher softball alum Autumn Pease (B.S. ’23), who’s currently also pursuing a master’s in public health at the U of M.

“Representation is important for young women, being able to see people that have lived and played the sport versus men that have just existed in it,” says Smyth, the coach of Prior Lake High School’s softball team. “I want our players to feel comfortable, empowered, and authentic. You don’t have to be afraid to make mistakes. You don’t have to be scared to fail because boys are watching or you are in a space that isn’t meant for you.”

Smyth continues to keep her Golden Gopher ties tight, attending softball games and even calling some games for broadcasts and streaming.

“I try my best to provide some expert analysis quotations, but it’s honestly just a good time,” she says. “Another full circle moment is seeing the girls I trained playing. I’m grateful to still be close to the program and the coaching staff. I love it. I’m a diehard.”

If you liked these stories, Minnesota Alumni magazine publishes four times a year highlighting U of M alumni and University activities. Early access to stories and a print subscription are benefits of being an Alumni Association member. Join here to receive a printed copy at home.