May 8, 2000

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - For the past four years, Sarah Putnam (Chesapeake, Va.) has contributed to the Maryland softball program with a powerful, clutch bat and a relaxed leadership style. One of two seniors on this year's squad, Sarah played in the final games of her Terrapin career on Saturday, May 6. Putnam finishes her Maryland diamond days with two prestigious on-field honors, most recently being named to the 2000 ACC All-Tournament team.

According to freshman teammate Mandy Allendorfer, "Putt has a fun, laid back attitude, but at the same time is so energized at practice and at game time. That stuff rubs off on everyone."

Maryland head coach Gina LaMandre said, "For four years, Sarah has worked hard without ever letting up. She has a tremendous work ethic and really became the go-to clutch hitter toward the end of last season and this season."

Recently, umterps.com, the official website of Maryland athletics, chatted with Putnam about her career, her role with the team and what lies ahead for "Putt."

umterps.com: You come from a decent-sized family. How big of an influence have they been on you?
SP: They've always encouraged me and my sister and brothers to work hard, push ourselves and sacrifice.
umterps.com: Does your nickname, "Putt5," come from more than your last name?
SP: I'm the second child in my family, but for some reason my dad called me "Putt" when I was little. My eighth grade basketball coach started calling me "Putt," and then it caught on with my friends. I have an older sister and two younger brothers, who are all athletes. Both of my brothers got the "Putt" nickname in school, and now all of the license plates on our cars say it and have our jersey numbers. Mine says "PUTT5," and my brothers --- both baseball players --- are "PUTT4" and "PUTT21." My mom's even says "PUTTMOM."
umterps.com: What about your dad?
SP: He'll probably get a "PUTTDAD" one soon.

umterps.com: Have you played any other sports besides softball?
SP: I played basketball ever since I was little. I swam and played volleyball one year in high school, but played basketball and softball the whole time.
umterps.com: What was your high school like?
SP: It was a college prep school with good sports. We had a dress code that wasn't that bad. It was allright.

umterps.com: What do you like about softball?
SP: I like how the team has fun together and I especially like all of the funny people on the team. We play great jokes on each other.
umterps.com: Tell us something about playing for Coach LaMandre.
SP: Coach always pushes us to work hard, not only to make us better players but better people.

umterps.com: What do you do when you are not playing softball?
SP: I like to hike and do outdoor stuff in the summer. I also love walking and playing with my dog, Camden. He's a Yorkshire terrier.
umterps.com: Camden?
SP: Yes, he's named after Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

umterps.com: Do you have any favorite athletes?
SP: I am a huge Cal Ripken fan, and I also like Rafael Palmeiro. I think that Mia Hamm represents women's athletics well, and I also like Michael Jordan because he's awesome.
umterps.com: What about movies and music and actors and actresses?
SP: Melissa Etheridge is my all-time favorite. She has such a powerful voice. And I like that song by Macy Gray. I like "Dead Poets Society" and "Good Will Hunting." There's good lessons in them, like "seize the day."
umterps.com: Do you "seize the day"?
SP: Sometimes. I think when you want something you have to go after it. You have to take advantage of opportunities.

umterps.com: What do you want to do with your criminology and criminal justice major?
SP: I think I want to be a cop, because you need to be able to work with people well and the work is mostly "hands-on."
umterps.com: You want to clean up the streets?
SP: I think I like the challenge, but mostly I want to help people. I don't know if I can change the world, but I think I can redirect a few people down a better path.

Contact: Mark Fratto
301-314-7064 (phone)
301-314-9094 (fax)
301-314-TERP (Fan Phone)
fratto@wam.umd.edu