University of Houston Athletics
Where Are They Now: Angel Shamblin
1/28/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
In Honor of Houston Softball's 15th Anniversary Season, Houston Athletics Communications will publish a bi-monthly feature, Where Are They Now?. Former Houston Softball players will be highlighted in each story, updating us on their journey after graduation and softball.
By Eric Cortez
Athletics Communications Intern
Although she graduated in 2008, former Houston Softball pitcher Angel Shamblin still remains a part of the Cougar family.
Shamblin works as Assistant Director of Academic Center for Excellence in the Houston Athletics Department. In her position, she helps student-athletes with tutoring and mentoring.
"I enjoy it. I'm still around students and I'm still around helping," Shamblin said. "That's kind of what I was looking for. I enjoy doing that and I can relate to the student-athletes because I was able to experience what they were going through and help them get through the tough times."
When Shamblin,a Davie, Fla., native and high school softball standout, began looking for a school to play Collegiate Softball at the Division I level, she searched for the perfect fit.
"I was looking for something out-of-state," Shamblin said. "I got recruited in Florida, but it didn't feel like the right fit. I came to UH and it felt like the perfect fit. It felt like a home away from home and I didn't miss home as much."
Once at Houston, Shamblin made a name for herself. In her four years, she was named NFCA All-American, a three-time NFCA All-Region pitcher and a three-time Conference USA Pitcher of the Year. Shamblin also threw the program's first ever perfect game during her freshman campaign. The experience, she describes, was unforgettable.
"It was an amazing experience," she said. "I tell kids all the time I wish I could go back and play again. I grew a lot. I learned a lot. I enjoyed the girls that I played with and the coaching staff was amazing when I was here. My whole experience was just a lifetime memory for me that I wish I could go back to."
While in school, she served as a student assistant for the softball team.
"Being on the coaching side of it, you learn different things," she said. "It was fun being around the team, just finishing my eligibility to get back the knowledge and experience that I had."
During her senior season, Shamblin led the Cougars to the NCAA Super Regional round for the first time in school history. The Cougars had earned the bid as a host site and was prepared to face Louisiana-Lafayette for a best-of-three series. The Cougars tied the series 1-1 with a 6-3 win over the Ragin' Cajuns, forcing an elimination game.
Shamblin received the nod from Head Coach Kyla Holas to start in what would be her final game as a Cougar. When she stepped foot into the circle for the last time, the emotions came flooding in.
"It was really hard. You're one game away from the [Women's College] World Series," Shamblin said. "My goal coming in to the program was to contribute and take them to the World Series. We were one game shy of that. That was emotional and then also knowing that I had put my cleats on for the last time was kind of hard."
Following her prestigious career at UH, Shamblin went on to play for the Akron Racers, a National Pro Fastpitch team, and in Italy.
"It was a good experience," Shamblin said, "but I just got to the point where my body was just wear and tear and I had to hang it up."
Shamblin is still involved with Houston Softball, and can also be spotted in the stands at home games rooting on her Alma Mater.
