The University of Akron Athletics
Fall Sets Positive Outlook for Akron Softball
December 04 | Softball
Akron, Ohio-As the fall semester comes to a
close, the Akron softball program looks forward to an exciting
spring schedule. The past semester has allowed the team to lay a
solid foundation and grow together on the field, in the classroom
and in the community.
The work on the field began with the squad's initial competition in
September at the "Together against Breast Cancer Tournament" where
they faced Ashland and Kent State at Firestone Stadium. Later in
September, Kent State hosted a tournament where Akron defeated
Youngstown State University, Gannon, and Ashland. Akron, however,
was defeated by Toledo and lost a close game to Robert Morris
University that same weekend. The two weekends set a positive tone
heading into the next phase for the Zips and foreshadowed a
successful 2008 season leaving the Akron coaching staff eager for
the start of spring.
Off the field, the team has been busy building relationships among
themselves and with former players and families, Akron Alumni Day
was held in October at Lee Jackson Softball Field. More than 40
alumni returned to compete against the 2008 Zips squad. Afterwards,
a picnic was held on the softball field for the alumni and their
families where over 100 people attended. It ended up being a very
successful day for the alumni even though they lost to the new
Zips.
Along with all of the on field work, the Akron Softball program has
been involved with the community over the past few months. In early
September, the players assisted with the Rocky River Adult
Activities Center (RRAAC) car wash sponsored by the Cuyahoga County
Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. The two
groups of girls washed over 120 cars raising over $1000.00 for the
Beck Center for the Arts Handicapped programs and the RRACC.
In October, the team participated in several community related
activities including the annual Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk
leading warm ups and pre-walk stretching along with raising over
$800.00 for the cause.
The month of October also brought "Make a Difference Day, "a campus
wide initiative to help in the Akron area. This day is dedicated to
making an impact on people's lives. Volunteers of all ages began at
8:00 a.m. and worked well past noon. The softball team was assigned
to the Oriana House where the Zips demonstrated excellent work
ethic somewhere even beyond the softball field and classroom.
One of the most exciting evenings of October is the annual BLAST
Halloween Party sponsored by the Summit County Board of Mental
Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. The team danced the
night away with close to 200 consumers from the Summit County MRDD.
The costumes were great, but the camaraderie was even better. The
Zips were a hit on the dance floor!
The off-season is time for the girls to further their strength and
give attention to other aspects of the game. The softball team has
been meeting with Mr. Doug Hanson who is a nationally renowned peak
performance coach. Topics of discussion motivate our athletes to
strive for the team's overall goals and use teamwork to the
fullest. These meetings are helping prepare the girls mentally for
the 2008 season. The Zips also chose to do a ropes course to test
mental toughness and allow each player to persevere through fear.
Both activities are moving the softball program forward and
strengthening the possibilities to become a championship team.
As weather cooperates, the ladies are continuing to work hard
outside in the second phase of the fall. The attitudes of the
players and coaching staff show how anxious the program should be
for the upcoming season. The home opener is Wednesday, March 28th
and success awaits the Akron Zips softball team.
Written by sophomore second baseman Krista Hansen
