Jayme Savage

Jayme Savage has been around Free State since she was 13 and has spent 18 years with the school’s volleyball program, first as an assistant for nine years and the last seven as head coach.

But with Savage taking over Free State’s open assistant principal position, Savage is stepping away from leading the program she’s been involved with for nearly two decades.

“There’s never a good time to have those conversations, but when you’re able to deliver those the right way and help them understand that I’m still going to be there,” Savage said. “It’s just going to be in a different light. My door is always open, and I’m always there to support them.”

Savage’s passion for coaching comes from a passion for advocacy for students. She knew that in order to be the advocate for students and kids in sports, it would take a bigger leadership platform. That came with administration.

“I grew up within those walls,” Savage said. “I’ve been a part of Free State since I was 13, and being able to understand the culture, protect the culture, and to constantly work toward ensuring that it stays in a positive and clear direction for all students and staff is something I’m looking forward to.”

That decision does come with her stepping away from the volleyball role she’s held since 2019, effective on July 1 when she takes over the administration job.

“The girls are resilient,” Savage said. “They’re hard working, and they’re very focused, and they were very understanding. The support I’ve received has been very positive… It makes it a little bit easier, knowing that I’m still an advocate, knowing that I’m still there to support them.”

The head volleyball coach job has been posted, according to Savage, and she’ll remain the team’s coach until July 1, which lands in the middle of the KSHSAA summer moratorium when high school coaches are not allowed to coach teams or conduct practices. When the moratorium ends on July 5, volleyball coaches are restricted in the size and type of practices until August 2, which would be a fitting time for a new coach to take over the program.

Savage also is raising three kids and wants to spend more time involved in their sporting events, which contributed to her decision to step away from coaching for the time being. That being said, Savage said she’d “never close the door on coaching,” as she still has a strong passion for it.

“Being able to mentor and assist and develop youth — that will never not be a part of who I am,” Savage said. “Now I’m just excited to be able to be more of an advocate for all students and to hopefully be able to provide them with some really cool opportunities moving forward.”

Savage will have a lot of new tasks and will be overseeing different departments around the school. In the same way that creating and protecting a team culture was important as the volleyball coach, Savage is focused on making sure the staff and students feel the school’s culture.

“A lot of it will involve building culture within the building,” Savage said. “I think visibility is key, and when you can develop those trusting relationships, then everything else will fall into place and continue in a positive direction.”

Savage will still be around the students and staff in support roles as assistant principal, and that includes her former players. She’ll be in the stands this fall cheering on the Firebirds.

“I’m always excited,” Savage said. “The ceiling that these girls are bringing in is going to be something to watch. I’m just excited to support them moving forward.”