Both sisters built careers as a head softball coaches where Jami established herself as the head coach at UCC, while Sami held leadership positions at Loyola Marymount University and Texas Tech University.
Jami Strinz, the head softball coach at Umpqua Community College, tragically lost her life in a fatal crash on April 18, 2025.
She was driving the team’s bus when a Chevrolet Silverado crossed the centerline and collided with them head-on.
The accident also claimed the life of Kiley Jones, a freshman player on the team.
Sami Ward Has Been Involved In Softball, Much Like Her Sister, Jami Strinz!
Sami Ward, a beloved sister of late Jami Strinz, was a head coach at Loyola Marymount University and Texas Tech University.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from LMU, where she also played softball.
Later, she pursued a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction at Dakota Wesleyan University.
Recognized for her leadership in the sport, Ward has had an impressive coaching career.
In 2015, she served as the head coach at Loyola and led the program for five seasons.
Before that, she was an assistant coach at LMU and was later promoted to associate head coach.
During her tenure, she earned West Coast Conference (WCC) Coach of the Year honors thrice.
#lionpridefriday #CollegeColorsDay @lmulions @lmulionsSB 🦁 pic.twitter.com/pqFE7iFavr
— Sami Strinz-Ward (@CoachStrinz) September 4, 2020
Moreover, under her leadership, LMU achieved significant milestones, including a 40-win season in 2019, its best since 2007.
In October 2020, she left LMU to take over as the head coach at Texas Tech University and served there for almost two years. However, she was dismissed from her role after 2022 season.
Since then, she has not taken on another head coaching role at a major university.
Regarding her family, Sami is the wife of Randy and a proud mother of two daughters, Ryli and Hayli.
Sami often shared photos of her daughter and husband on social media, especially on Facebook and X, reflecting their close bond.
Sami Shared Her Thoughts On The Tragic Loss Of Her Sister, Jami!
Recently, Sami, an Oregonian native, has spoken about the tragedy. She also shared that Jami was very dedicated to her family and her athletic career.
She described her sister as someone who always put others first, even in her final moments, saying:
I keep opening up Facebook and see my sister’s picture on everyone’s profile,She connected with so many people and made all these people feel so valued and seen. That is her legacy.
Ward recalled receiving the devastating news from her niece, who tearfully told her,
Mom was driving the team back and got into an accident and didn’t make it.
She also mentioned that Jami had been comforting someone in her last moments before passing away.
She expressed her commitment to supporting Jami’s daughter, Sari, and ensuring she has the opportunities to succeed.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Sami also has a brother, Tim Strinz, who remains out of the spotlight.
- Their parents met at Southern Oregon College, where their father played football and wrestled, and their mother was a four-sport athlete.
