RTS is deeply saddened to report the untimely passing of Jami Strinz, the head softball coach at Umpqua Community College (UCC) in Oregon. Strinz tragically lost her life in a devastating traffic accident that occurred on Friday evening as the UCC team was returning home from a competition. Also killed in the crash was freshman athlete Kiley Jones, a promising young player from Idaho. The heartbreaking incident has sent shockwaves through the Umpqua Community College family and the broader softball community.
According to the preliminary investigation, the crash occurred on Highway 42. Authorities say the driver of a Chevrolet Silverado traveling westbound crossed over the center line and collided head-on with the UCC mini-bus, which was heading east. The collision was severe, and emergency services were dispatched immediately to the scene. Ten members of the UCC softball program were on board the mini-bus at the time of the accident. While some sustained minor injuries, several individuals were transported to local hospitals for treatment, with a number remaining in critical condition as of the latest reports.
Coach Jami Strinz had been a part of the Umpqua Community College family since 2023 and had quickly become a beloved and respected figure within the athletics department. Her passion for the game, deep understanding of coaching, and dedication to the development of student-athletes made her a powerful force both on and off the field. She was known for her unwavering support for her players, always putting their academic and personal growth first, while still instilling a competitive spirit in every practice and game.
Strinz also made an indelible mark on the larger softball community through her leadership of the Pacific Northwest (PNW) Shamrocks Club Program. The Shamrocks have been instrumental in helping young athletes develop their skills and navigate the recruiting process to play softball at the collegiate level. Through her work with the club, Strinz touched hundreds of lives, acting as a mentor, coach, and advocate for aspiring softball players across the region.
Her own journey in softball began as a collegiate athlete at Bradley University, where she stood out as a competitive and skilled player. She later took her talents to the international stage, representing the Irish National Team—a testament to her commitment to the sport and her athletic abilities. That same commitment carried into her coaching career, where she poured her heart and soul into every team she led.
Softball was more than just a sport for Jami—it was a family tradition. Her father, Tim Strinz, was a longtime and highly respected club coach who helped foster a love for the game in both of his daughters. Jami’s sister, Sami Strinz-Ward, followed a similar path, becoming a standout coach in her own right with head coaching stints at Loyola Marymount University and Texas Tech. The Strinz family’s legacy in softball is one marked by excellence, passion, and community—a legacy that Jami carried forward with grace and purpose.
The loss of Coach Strinz and Kiley Jones is profoundly felt not just at Umpqua Community College but throughout the entire softball community. Teammates, friends, family, and colleagues are grieving the loss of two bright, driven, and compassionate individuals whose lives ended far too soon. The UCC Athletics Department has asked for privacy as they support those affected and begin the healing process.
A candlelight vigil and memorial services are being planned to honor the lives and legacy of Jami Strinz and Kiley Jones. More information will be shared as details become available. In the meantime, the outpouring of love and support from across the country stands as a powerful reminder of the deep bonds within the softball family—a family that will forever remember and celebrate the lives of Coach Strinz and Kiley.
