PURCHASE, N.Y. - "Where are they now?" is a monthly feature story that highlights former student-athletes and employees, as they recount their adventures at Purchase College and what they have been up to since departing.
Our second person of the 2025-26 season is Tara Sasso '23, a two-year starting pitcher for the softball team.
Sasso (North Rockland, NY) finished her career with 157.1 innings over 36 appearances on the mound. She collected seven wins, 21 complete games and 91 strikeouts.
As a senior, she threw an incredible 129.1 innings as the Panthers' ace, which is the second most all-time in program history.
At the plate, the 2023 graduate was formidable, recording a .175 average, 10 hits, six RBIs and 11 runs in 39 games.
Upon graduating, Sasso joined the coaching ranks at both the collegiate and high school level, where she continues today.
Scroll below to read Tara's own words about what she has been up to since graduating.
Sport/s: Softball
Graduation year: 2023
Major: Sociology
Favorite place to eat on campus: Starbucks
Favorite activity/event: My favorite thing was just going and watching all the other athletic teams.
What clubs/jobs did you have at Purchase: I worked in the Athletic building as a student worker for the training room!
What have you been up to since leaving: I am in graduate school to get my masters in "psychology of addictions & mental health". I also am the JV softball coach at Nyack high school and the pitching coach at Purchase College.
What are you most proud of since departing: That I've been able to finally get my license and that I've been able to be in school for something that I love and that I have gotten to coach not one but two softball teams.
Tell us about your current job: I am currently a graduate student and I coach the JV softball team at Nyack high school and am the pitching coach here at Purchase College. I am graduating with my masters in February and I am starting my internship as a substance abuse counselor in December.
What's your official job title: JV softball coach & pitching coach. I will also be a substance abuse counselor intern starting in December.
What's the day to day look like: With softball, I am the head JV softball coach, so I run my practices and help the athletes develop as softball players. Here at Purchase, I coach the pitchers and give them workouts to develop and help them through those workouts. Once I start my substance abuse counselor job, I will be counseling addicts in recovery through their everyday struggle.
What enticed you about your job: I love softball and I love helping people. I also lost my dad a few years ago and so many people were willing to help him once he was sick and I wanted to do that for someone else in the some capacity.
Anything you learned at Purchase that is helping you in your new role: To just be kind to others, you never know what someone is going through.
Share your thoughts on your overall experience as a former Panther: I loved the softball program and coach Mark Sergio has become like my second dad, I loved playing for him and I love coaching with him as well. He really has become a very important person in my life.
Any other things you were involved with on campus: I helped in the athletic training room and also worked the front desk in the weight room.
Final thoughts or anything else you'd like to share: Just that being a part of the Panther family was something I will always cherish and that I made life long friends.
