University of Texas at Dallas Athletics

University of Texas at Dallas Assistant Softball Coach Abigail (Abby) Sterling passed away unexpectedly at her home in Dallas on November 10, 2023.
 
She was 27 years old.
 
Family and friends will gather from 3:00-4:00 p.m. Saturday, November 18, at Melancon-Levingston Funeral Home in Nederland with a "Celebration of Life" memorial service to follow. Private family services will be held at a later date.
 
"Abby was a fierce competitor who loved her Comet softball team," stated Angela Marin, UTD Director of Athletics. "She was a bright light within the athletic department, and she made us all better. This upcoming softball season will be dedicated to her memory."
 
Known throughout the UTD Athletic Department for her always positive manner and infectious smile, Abby Sterling joined the UTD coaching staff in September 2022. In her one season coaching the team, the Comets reached the ASC Championship Tournament with a 24-18 record. She helped coach eight all-conference selections, including the ASC Tri-Pitcher of the Year.
 
A native of Beaumont, Sterling was born in 1996 and was involved with the sport of softball throughout her life. She was also a bicycle enthusiast and enjoyed outdoor activities.
 
Sterling was a four-time All-District selection as a third baseman at Beaumont West Brook High School, where she was also named Miss West Brook and Homecoming Queen. She is still her high school's only four-time all-district honoree in any team sport, leading her team twice to the post-season while hitting .400 or better each season with 28 career home runs.
 
After graduating in 2014, she accepted a scholarship and played three years at NCAA Division I powerhouse University of Louisiana-Lafayette and was part of three Sun Belt Conference championship teams. She was also honored twice as a Sun Belt Conference Academic All-American selection.
 
Sterling finished her collegiate playing career at former American Southwest Conference rival Louisiana College, where she was named to ASC All-Conference teams in 2018 and 2019, additionally earning Academic All-ASC recognition.
 
She earned a bachelor's degree in Communications with a concentration on Public Relations from Louisiana College in 2019.
 
Sterling began her coaching career at the University of Arkansas Rich Mountain in Mena, Arkansas where she was strength and conditioning coach, as well as a softball assistant. She spent the 2021-22 academic year as an assistant coach and residence life specialist at Angelina College in Lufkin, Texas, helping the Roadrunners to a 38-16 season.
 
Abby is survived by her father, Kyle Moye Sterling Sr. of Beaumont; sister, Madeline Sterling Vanderweg of Nederland; brother, Kyle Sterling, Jr. of Beaumont, and their extended families. Abby was preceded in death by her mother, Paula Ann Brindza Sterling; and her grandparents, Marvin and Jane Sterling, and James and Ann Brindza.
 
An endowment in Abby Sterling's name is currently being established to benefit the UT Dallas Softball program. For further information, contact Bill Petitt at bpetitt@utdallas.edu.