2008 Woodie Awards
Softball season canceled, comeback post-poned
By: Jeremy Homan
Issue date: 2/5/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
The spring softball season has been canceled. This decision came on Jan. 29 during a meeting between coaches Mark LeVin and Conrad Swalwell and team captains Lacy Holevis and Amanda LeVin.
"It's disappointing because we had a talented group of ball players and we were building good team chemistry," said Mark LeVin. "All the girls were disappointed."
The cancellation was due, in large part, to scheduling conflicts. The team had a 20-game season but games coincided with some of the players' classes.
"I tell the girls education comes before athletics," said LeVin.
The team also had some problems recruiting players. After the fall season, players were lost to graduation and personal issues. Three open try-outs were held; one in December and two in January. Seven tried out and only two players made the team.
"Some of the girls didn't take it seriously," said LeVin. "There were girls that showed up in jeans."
LeVin said there is a lack of interest in softball because some students, after playing softball all their lives, just want their education and don't want to pursue college softball.
"We didn't have enough dedicated players," said Holevis.
Being a club team, all of their finances were raised from within. The team was close to their fundraising goal.
With the cancellation, the team has the opportunity to continue raising money to be financially secure for next season, which is planned for the fall.
Recruiting players is difficult because there is no scholarship money available. LeVin met with interim Athletic Director John Friend in an effort to plan recruiting. The team plans on recruiting over the summer.
After deciding to cancel the season, the team put together a "plan B." The team will continue to work out and stay in shape. LeVin plans to bring eight of his players to compete in the United Girls Softball League during the summer as part of his plan to recruit. The team hopes to use the league as an advantage to recruit area players.
"Hopefully, other girls that stay home for college will see how competitive we are and come to PUC to play their college softball," said LeVin.
The team has high hopes for the future.
"We did what was best for the team," said Holevis. "We all have intentions of competing next fall."
"It's disappointing because we had a talented group of ball players and we were building good team chemistry," said Mark LeVin. "All the girls were disappointed."
The cancellation was due, in large part, to scheduling conflicts. The team had a 20-game season but games coincided with some of the players' classes.
"I tell the girls education comes before athletics," said LeVin.
The team also had some problems recruiting players. After the fall season, players were lost to graduation and personal issues. Three open try-outs were held; one in December and two in January. Seven tried out and only two players made the team.
"Some of the girls didn't take it seriously," said LeVin. "There were girls that showed up in jeans."
LeVin said there is a lack of interest in softball because some students, after playing softball all their lives, just want their education and don't want to pursue college softball.
"We didn't have enough dedicated players," said Holevis.
Being a club team, all of their finances were raised from within. The team was close to their fundraising goal.
With the cancellation, the team has the opportunity to continue raising money to be financially secure for next season, which is planned for the fall.
Recruiting players is difficult because there is no scholarship money available. LeVin met with interim Athletic Director John Friend in an effort to plan recruiting. The team plans on recruiting over the summer.
After deciding to cancel the season, the team put together a "plan B." The team will continue to work out and stay in shape. LeVin plans to bring eight of his players to compete in the United Girls Softball League during the summer as part of his plan to recruit. The team hopes to use the league as an advantage to recruit area players.
"Hopefully, other girls that stay home for college will see how competitive we are and come to PUC to play their college softball," said LeVin.
The team has high hopes for the future.
"We did what was best for the team," said Holevis. "We all have intentions of competing next fall."
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