Coach Chuck Eley has known 8th-grader Samantha Tillman since she was eight years old. Backed by years of experience as a high school and college football coach, he has since transitioned into a speed and agility specialist with help from Jay Dunn, a strength and conditioning expert.

Together, they have served as Tillman’s athletic performance coaches since she began playing softball in elementary school, but a year and a half ago, Eley was given the opportunity to be more than a coach to Tillman.

Sam lost her mother Lisa, a retired U.S. Army veteran and softball coach, to lung cancer in December of 2014. With no family left to take her and her sister Michelle, Eley gained legal custody of the girls in September 2015. In speaking to him, it's clear just how much he cares for the Tillman girls and wants the very best for them both.

“Please make the article all about Samantha and not me,” he stated in a text message. She is the one doing all the hard work.”

But a story about Tillman would be remiss without the mention of Eley. He takes her to all of her elite camp invites and unofficial visits, and drives with her an hour every Monday to work with her hitting coach, Joe Morabito.

Eley’s coaching background helped him recognize Tillman’s athleticism, but he wanted to get her in front of softball coaches so he could better understand her talent. “I just wanted to get someone to see her and tell me how good she was,” Eley explained.


The feedback he received from Morabito was just as he expected. Morabito was so impressed with Tillman that he told Eley, “Every coach is going to love this kid when they get eyes on her.” And some already do.
She’s attended camps at Virginia, Oregon, and North Carolina. As a 7th-grader, Tillman attended the Carolina Softball Elite Next Level Camp, which is typically reserved for talented 9th-11th graders. Not only did Tillman hold her own, but she won the Tar Heel Award for most outstanding performance. Sam will return to Coach Donna Papa’s camp this June.

More recently, Sam attended Oregon’s camp and went on an unofficial visit with the Ducks January 20-24 of this year. In addition, she received invites to Florida, Michigan, Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Mississippi State, South Florida, and Coastal Carolina.

In total, 67 schools have expressed interest in Sam. A few coaches are holding off until they see her high school grades, but there’s no reason to expect that Sam's straight-A record will change. Others have expressed concern over her 5’1” stature; they want to wait and see how tall she’ll get.

But make no mistake, what Tillman lacks in height, she makes up for with work ethic. “She’s a pretty mature kid,” Eley explained. “She doesn’t work like she’s in middle school. She works like a high schooler.”

Though she may work like she's in high school, Tillman still knows how to enjoy her time as an 8th-grader. Eley's healthy attitude toward the recruiting process with Tillman has helped: “I try to let her have as much fun as she can and not worry about all the recruiting. The sky is the limit for this kid.”

Without further ado, meet the class of 2020's Samantha Tillman!

Hometown: Fredericksburg, Virginia
Travel Team: Virginia Unity 16U
Jr HS, Future HS: Chancellor Middle School, Chancellor HS -- Fredericksburg, Virginia
HS Grad Year: 2020
Height: 5'1" Weight : 125 lbs
Position: 2B/CF/3B
Nickname: Scooter

How did you get into softball?
My mom wanted me to play, so she got me started at eight years old. My older sister, Johnni, played second base in high school and at Glenville State College.

What is your favorite part about softball?
I love being challenged against good players and teams. Also, I love it when my teammates and I work and push each other hard in practice to get better as a unit.

Do you have any superstitious or rituals on the field?
One ritual I love to do is as I step out of the box, I look up to the sky and ask my mom to help me out when I'm in a jam with two strikes. I say, 'Mom, I need your help here. Now let's get this done. I need a hit.' It works a lot, and it's one of the ways I know she is watching over me while I play.

What is your go-to pre-game song?
"Anax" by XVII

What has been your favorite softball experience so far?
My unofficial visit to the University of Oregon and working with the Oregon softball players and coaches. It was absolutely fun and just an amazing experience.

What changes have you seen in your game since starting your strength and conditioning program?
I have more power at the plate and I never get tired on the field anymore. I love to train! I think I might be turning into a gym rat.

What is your favorite thing to do in the weight room?
I love this one station I do with my strength coach, Jay Dunn. Jay hooks me to a vest-like harness -- it goes over my back and around my ribcage, and there's a cord attached to the vest. It runs to a piece of equipment that makes the cord gives resistance, and I have to do push ups. It's fun, but it works you half to death. I love working with Jay! He tries to push me to another level.



Where are you in the recruiting process?
I am just starting to make game visits this spring, and I am planning on attending a few camps this summer, fall, and winter. I am very busy with my travel team, so I can't make it to every university that wants to see me, and that's a bummer. I also have been invited to play in the Scout All-America selection games in Atlanta and Harrisonburg, Virginia, this June. I am so excited about being selected to play as an 8th-grader. It's a great honor and a great opportunity to show my skills. My time is so limited with visits and camps because of my schedule. I wish I could see more universities this summer.

Who is your favorite softball player?
Allie Arenson, shortstop at UVA, because she an amazing person. She's so nice to me and I want to be just like her on and off the field.

What is the best advice you've ever been given?
One day, people will forget that you were a good softball player, but they will never forget what kind of person you were or are. Treat people with respect and be a nice person.

Do you play any other sports?
Not on any other organized teams, but I like to play volleyball and soccer with my friends and little sister, Michelle.

What is something unusual or different about you that few people know?
I get bad wedgies in games sometimes from my softball sliders and softball pants, but I don't care who sees me pull them out.

What is your top goal for 2016?
Finish up this school year with a great GPA and hit more bombs.


Related: