UMPI Class of 2015, Bachelors in Physical Education

Ghazaleh “Oz” Sailors, originally from southern California, needed an opportunity.  After breaking barriers in high school baseball in California, Oz reached out to college baseball coaches across the nation only to be referred to their counterparts in softball.  That changed when former UMPI baseball coach Leo Saucier extended an invitation to visit campus and be judged according to her athletic ability, not her gender.  Following her visit to Presque Isle and meeting with athletic staff, faculty, and members of the campus community, Oz knew that UMPI was the place for her.  This was the way it should be.

During her time at UMPI Oz held her own against her male counterparts, including impressive outings against Division I Maine, firmly establishing her place on the mound.  Oz’s story was featured by the Bangor Daily News, Boston Globe, Newsweek and received mentions in Sports Illustrated. Oz didn’t let the attention distract her and used her platform to tell her story as a way to inspire other girls to follow in her footsteps. While at UMPI Oz also became a three-sport athlete adding cross-country running and cross-country skiing, something she hadn’t tried before arriving on campus.  She still skis when she gets the chance.

Following graduation in 2015, Oz signed with the Virginia Marlins of the World Baseball Pro League.  In the United States, Oz would go on to play for the San Rafael Pacifics based in San Rafael, California.  Internationally, Oz played for the Central Coast Marlins and coached a youth team for Baseball Australia.

From Australia, Oz was off to China. Working for Major League Baseball, Oz coached baseball at an MLB development organization while playing for the Shanghai Buccaneers.  While in China Oz helped write the curriculum for Baseball China and the Chinese Government to be used to implement baseball as a part of their physical education classes. After suffering an arm injury, Oz returned home to UMPI for rehabilitation before returning to play in Virginia and Australia.  Following injury, Oz came back to the United States to coach in Oregon.

Now, Oz is settling into her new role as a development coach and director with the San Francisco Seals.  The San Francisco Seals run a year-round youth academy in the Bay Area for youth aged eight to eighteen. In the summer Oz will help coach the college team which attracts some of the best Division I & II collegiate players. Oz’s responsibilities also include strength and conditioning, mental development on the field, mentoring off the field, and academic preparation work. Oz will also be working at Moreau Catholic High School in Hayward, California as their head varsity baseball coach making her the first female varsity baseball head coach in California history.

Oz is certain what UMPI means to her. UMPI gave her a family. The University of Maine at Presque Isle offered more than she was expecting, not only did it provide her an education and the opportunity to follow her dreams, it became home.

“On deciding to go to UMPI? It’s the best decision you’ll make in your life, it’s the best decision I made in mine.”