University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Get to Know: Head Coach Jodi Hermanek
2/4/2019 3:57:00 PM | Softball
Favorites
Food: I could eat Mexican food for every meal, every day of the week.
Song: It changes based on the event or moment I'm in, but You Say by Lauren Daigle has been my sing-a-long concert-song in the car.
TV Show: I'm proud to admit I'm a Real Housewives junkie.
Quote: "If you even dream of beating me you'd better wake up and apologize." - Muhammad Ali
Part of Pittsburgh: Nothing beats the city skyline of The Burgh.
Professional Athlete: Von Miller – he's devoted to being unstoppable.
Sport to Watch other than Softball: Football – NFL, Denver Broncos!! But I love college football too!
Sport Related Memory: 2014 MAC Championship - holding the trophy with a team full of amazing young women and holding my seven day old Champion Baby Girl, Emma – the moment was surreal and can never be repeated!
Q&A
What made you choose Pitt?
Pitt is a place where championships will be won. I believe Athletic Director Heather Lyke and her Athletic Administration's leadership has the vision and drive that will put what is needed in front of this coaching staff so we can build a sustainable winning program. I am proud and blessed to coach in the ACC, one of the nation's elite conferences. And finally, the City of Champions is an amazing place for my family to flourish and enjoy living.
Why did you get into coaching?
I love the game of softball. I knew very early on in my coaching career that I wanted to coach at a level where I can recruit the type of student-athlete I want to coach in this game. I love teaching, exploring and then watching my athletes succeed at what they have set out to accomplish. The privilege of earning the pursuit with the athletes is an epic reward that molds who I am and why I am.
What are your biggest strengths as a coach?
That I am invested in my people no matter their role – support staff or All-American, I believe in each person's value and want to create opportunities for people to excel in their roles.
What are three words that describe you?
1.) Funniest person you'll ever meet! 2.) Outgoing 3.) Loyal
What are your hobbies and interests outside of softball?
Traveling with my family – we love to RV Road trip! We get to be adventurous and explore while being together! Most outdoor – nature things, like riding horses, swimming, white water rafting, water skiing, going to any sporting event.
What are some of the differences between your hometown and Pittsburgh?
The amount of people, bridges and tunnels. I grew up in Colorado from six years old through college, and I love Colorado - it's a certain type of beautiful. But, Pittsburgh has its own certain type of beautiful – the rivers, bridges, city-scape, trees and hills are so unique and electric.
If you could bring one thing from your hometown to Pittsburgh, what would it be?
The Rocky Mountains. They are God's Gift to the West!
What is the best advice you've ever been given?
Whatever you do, do it your way – be your best you.
If you could meet three people (past or present) who would you want to meet? Why?
Oprah – I grew up in a time when her shows were the nation's counselor and she was/is so self-evolving and gives herself permission to be such that I connect with being a great person now and working to become an even better person.
Sue Enquist – I have met and been around Sue before, and her energy and passion is beyond anything I have ever felt. She has the ability to captivate, motivate and challenge a person in an athletic regard, a leadership role, or a "For the Love of the Game" aspect.
Ellen DeGeneres – She has faced adversity in her own path, she has overcome it, and she makes a living out of inspiring via laughter and fun. Life needs laughter and fun and ridiculousness!
Who had the greatest impact on your life? Why?
First, My Creator. I count my blessings and work every day to focus on being who He planted me on this earth to be. I recognize that every person I meet or encounter is His creation, and with that, I try to service that interaction with good!
There are too many people to mention here – but mainly, my family. My parents, Barry and Donna, have supported, loved and challenged me in everything I have experienced in life and they love their family whole-heartedly. My sister, Kari, has been my guide and rock, and the big sister that God means for those older siblings to be. My brother-in-law, Chuck, demonstrates what sacrifice, loyalty and leadership is truly about as he serves our country. My daughter, Emma, has introduced me to my compassionate, patient and youthful side of making life fun, while still respecting the simple things like manners. But my husband, David, has pushed me to know who I am and what I stand for as I continue to grow as a wife, mom, daughter, sister, coach, professional – all the hats that make "Jodi".
What's one fun fact about you?
I grew up riding horses – trail riding, team pinning, competing in horse shows, barrel racing. I had to clean horse stalls and pens to earn my riding lessons when I was 12-13 years old. My parents still have horses and ride, and so now doing that with David and Emma is so much fun! And Emma loves to clean horse stalls.
Food: I could eat Mexican food for every meal, every day of the week.
Song: It changes based on the event or moment I'm in, but You Say by Lauren Daigle has been my sing-a-long concert-song in the car.
TV Show: I'm proud to admit I'm a Real Housewives junkie.
Quote: "If you even dream of beating me you'd better wake up and apologize." - Muhammad Ali
Part of Pittsburgh: Nothing beats the city skyline of The Burgh.
Professional Athlete: Von Miller – he's devoted to being unstoppable.
Sport to Watch other than Softball: Football – NFL, Denver Broncos!! But I love college football too!
Sport Related Memory: 2014 MAC Championship - holding the trophy with a team full of amazing young women and holding my seven day old Champion Baby Girl, Emma – the moment was surreal and can never be repeated!
Q&A
What made you choose Pitt?
Pitt is a place where championships will be won. I believe Athletic Director Heather Lyke and her Athletic Administration's leadership has the vision and drive that will put what is needed in front of this coaching staff so we can build a sustainable winning program. I am proud and blessed to coach in the ACC, one of the nation's elite conferences. And finally, the City of Champions is an amazing place for my family to flourish and enjoy living.
Why did you get into coaching?
I love the game of softball. I knew very early on in my coaching career that I wanted to coach at a level where I can recruit the type of student-athlete I want to coach in this game. I love teaching, exploring and then watching my athletes succeed at what they have set out to accomplish. The privilege of earning the pursuit with the athletes is an epic reward that molds who I am and why I am.
What are your biggest strengths as a coach?
That I am invested in my people no matter their role – support staff or All-American, I believe in each person's value and want to create opportunities for people to excel in their roles.
What are three words that describe you?
1.) Funniest person you'll ever meet! 2.) Outgoing 3.) Loyal
What are your hobbies and interests outside of softball?
Traveling with my family – we love to RV Road trip! We get to be adventurous and explore while being together! Most outdoor – nature things, like riding horses, swimming, white water rafting, water skiing, going to any sporting event.
What are some of the differences between your hometown and Pittsburgh?
The amount of people, bridges and tunnels. I grew up in Colorado from six years old through college, and I love Colorado - it's a certain type of beautiful. But, Pittsburgh has its own certain type of beautiful – the rivers, bridges, city-scape, trees and hills are so unique and electric.
If you could bring one thing from your hometown to Pittsburgh, what would it be?
The Rocky Mountains. They are God's Gift to the West!
What is the best advice you've ever been given?
Whatever you do, do it your way – be your best you.
If you could meet three people (past or present) who would you want to meet? Why?
Oprah – I grew up in a time when her shows were the nation's counselor and she was/is so self-evolving and gives herself permission to be such that I connect with being a great person now and working to become an even better person.
Sue Enquist – I have met and been around Sue before, and her energy and passion is beyond anything I have ever felt. She has the ability to captivate, motivate and challenge a person in an athletic regard, a leadership role, or a "For the Love of the Game" aspect.
Ellen DeGeneres – She has faced adversity in her own path, she has overcome it, and she makes a living out of inspiring via laughter and fun. Life needs laughter and fun and ridiculousness!
Who had the greatest impact on your life? Why?
First, My Creator. I count my blessings and work every day to focus on being who He planted me on this earth to be. I recognize that every person I meet or encounter is His creation, and with that, I try to service that interaction with good!
There are too many people to mention here – but mainly, my family. My parents, Barry and Donna, have supported, loved and challenged me in everything I have experienced in life and they love their family whole-heartedly. My sister, Kari, has been my guide and rock, and the big sister that God means for those older siblings to be. My brother-in-law, Chuck, demonstrates what sacrifice, loyalty and leadership is truly about as he serves our country. My daughter, Emma, has introduced me to my compassionate, patient and youthful side of making life fun, while still respecting the simple things like manners. But my husband, David, has pushed me to know who I am and what I stand for as I continue to grow as a wife, mom, daughter, sister, coach, professional – all the hats that make "Jodi".
What's one fun fact about you?
I grew up riding horses – trail riding, team pinning, competing in horse shows, barrel racing. I had to clean horse stalls and pens to earn my riding lessons when I was 12-13 years old. My parents still have horses and ride, and so now doing that with David and Emma is so much fun! And Emma loves to clean horse stalls.
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