Steve Russell was interview host and asked questions of I think seven players, about their experiences and their feelings about this team. They were very impressive in their answers. He then interviewed Coach Walton.
I want to say this, this group of women are some best athletes I have ever met. They are smart, they are disciplined and they are athletes. You can tell by the body language. They are confident. I going to say this as well, Francesca, Aric and Stephanie challenge these players to be best they can be. Tim manages this group to be winners.
This was a very well-organized and fun event. All of the players were there except Red. She has the flu. 1990, his lovely wife, Roseanne, and I sat at a table with Layla, Ava, and Mia. They were a fun group and interacted with everyone. Baylee donated a painting, and I won the bidding for it. Steve Russell emceed and did player interviews as well as CTW. This was seniors on first. He also interviewed Ava and Taylor. Jocey and Keagan. CTW. The common theme is why you picked UF. When I got here and met the coaches and players, I knew I did not want to go anywhere else. Team chemistry and team building were a common theme. Every Monday, they do things to make them understand each other and what each individual needs. I told Mia I was so proud of how she handled her struggles last year. She went through them but still was a good teammate. She said, it is funny you say that. One of the Monday exercises was everyone had a piece of paper taped to their back, and teammates would write something about them. She said over half the players said the same thing. This is a special place. I met SVB and spoke with the pitchers about her. They all raved about her as well as CTW. Christian Bruey, CFE's husband, did the live auction at the end. He is a very personable guy and did a great job. I did not know this, but he worked with Steve Russell on softball broadcasts as a student and later. He had a successful career in Orlando on TV. I do not know what he does now. Brittany and CFE did a lot of work to set this up and make it happen. Go Gators!
I sat at the table with Kara and Cassidy. I talked in length with Kara. (She is a tall young lady). She played for Wilmington - UNC in the Coast Athletic Association. She was the MVP in the Conference Championship and her team made it to the NCAA. Tournament. She wanted something more. She had an opportunity to come to UF and took it. She had nothing but good to say about CTW and CSVP. She says the team immediately accepted her and she is loving the opportunity to pitch for the Gators and is looking to play her role. I enjoyed my talk with her.
I had a fun talk with Brookie Cookie (Brooke Barnard). She is from Palm Beach Gardens. I am from Singer Island. We went to the same middle school about 55 years apart. I went Howell L. Watkins Middle School (Junior High in my day) She went there as well. I was in the first class. So we had something in common.
I sat at her table. She has no injury. The plastic support is to protect her from stress points. She told me it was for therapy and not an injury. She is ready to pitch.
lol...that pic was sent to me privately. I told Phil to get Taylor to send a selfie to me. I don't know exactly what he told her about me (I'll find out later) but it was probably something like "this guy is your biggest fan and has predicted for years you are the next Gator star and he is begging for a selfie from you". So, that pic was for me and she knew it.
Well it is game week, and I don't care if the groundhog saw his shadow or not this morning. I am done with winter.
Mia wouldn't just take a picture with me, she insisted my "twin" had to be in the photo. ufgtr77, Mia and me.
Aja was one of cornerstones to CTW early teams that built the winning culture and the Gator Way attitude that is Gator softball today.
Anyone planning on coming to Tampa for the USF- Rawlings Invitational this upcoming weekend? I may go on Sunday..
