Michael Umpierre was never a professional athlete or coach, but his life’s work to help children and youth inspired him to volunteer with Capitol City Little League.
The end of the Little League season means another summer has come and gone far too quickly. Like his players, 2024 Little League Coach of the Year Michael Umpierre will also return to school this month, despite being idle at Georgetown University.
Umpierre is best known to his colleagues at the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform at the McCourt School of Public Policy (CJJR) as a juvenile court administrator, national trainer and consultant, public defender, and youth advocate. Umpierre, who holds a BA in Public Policy from Stanford University and a JD from Yale Law School, has dedicated his career to improving the lives of young people, especially those who are disadvantaged, vulnerable, and most in need. He has been a senior research fellow at CJJR for nearly a decade and was named the center’s director in 2020.
CJJR contributes groundbreaking research and public policy in the area of juvenile justice in community sectors. The center offers certificate programs, on-site and off-site training, networking opportunities, webinars, and more to help leaders in juvenile justice and related youth welfare systems across the country achieve better outcomes for the young people in their care. Although CJJR has a nationwide presence, it focuses on helping communities drive their own local systems transformations.
Umpierre’s passion for coaching extends beyond his and CJJR’s commitment to helping children and youth. He has been a coach for several years, including the last two years as manager of his 11-year-old son Alexander’s team, the Waterdogs of the Capitol City Little League, a volunteer-run league based in Northwest DC. He also assists his 7-year-old daughter Josephine’s softball team. The Waterdogs are named after the Umpierre family’s Portuguese water dog, Emmy.
Michael Umpierre coaches the Waterdogs, a youth baseball team in the Capitol City Little League. His son, Alexander Umpierre (third from right), is a member of the team.
The annual Little League Coach of the Year award, presented by Little League in partnership with Lance Sandwich Crackers and the Positive Coaching Alliance, recognizes exceptional coaches who inspire their players to be their best both on and off the field. Umpierre, who is supported by his players, their families and fellow coaches, was selected from more than 3,700 coaches across the country.
“I am incredibly honored and humbled by this award. It is a true privilege to support children and youth on the baseball field, but also through our work at CJJR and the McCourt School,” said Umpierre.
Photo credit: Little League International
Little League and Lance Sandwich Crackers flew Umpierre and his family to Williamsport, PA, so he could throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Little League Baseball World Series on August 17. In recognition of Umpierre’s impact on his community, Lance Sandwich Crackers also donated $5,000 to support Capitol City Little League’s future programs.
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