Sharon Palma will join the Michigan State Softball coaching staff for the 2012 season in her first year as volunteer assistant coach. As the volunteer assistant coach, Palma will primarily work with the pitchers and catchers as well as help with coaching clinics. Palma will also assist with academic advising and monitoring player social networking pages.

Palma graduated from Wright State University in 2010, where she helped her team become the Horizon League Tournament Champions in 2008 and again in 2010. She was named the 2008 League Tournament MVP and earned a spot on the 2009 All-League Second team, the 2008 All-League Newcomer Team and the 2008 League All-Tournament Team. In the Raider recordbooks, Palma is currently in second place for pitching appearances (120), player starts (93) and player wins (46). She is also tied for first with most wins in a season (19, 2009), is third all-time for innings pitched (504.0) and player strikeouts (360) and ninth in all-time shutouts (4).