Athlete of the Week: Barb Shea, Softball
Juliana Moore, Staff Writer
May 3, 2012
Filed under Sports, Top Stories
The Scoop: Barb is a senior shortstop on the softball team. Some of her accomplishments include: All-Rookie team 2009, Scholar Athlete 2010, 2011, 2012, Northeast-10 Conference All-Academic Team 2011, Northeast-10 Conference Honor Roll 2010, 2011, 2012, Division II Athletic Director’s Association Academic Achievement Award, and two-time captain.
How she got started playing softball: Barb has been an athlete since the beginning.
“I began playing sports when I was really young because I have two older brothers that I grew up watching,” Barb explained. “I played soccer and basketball in high school as well. Even though I had other opportunities to play both soccer and basketball in college, I thought softball was the best fit for me.”
On the current season: With playoffs just starting, Barb and the rest of the team have their work cut out for them.
“The season started out a little slow for us,” Barb admitted. “It took us a while to figure out the right combination on the field and getting our bats warmed up, but now I think we are really beginning to peak at the right time and things are coming together.”
The team remains focused on reaching their goal.
“Our goal for this year is to make a return trip back to the World Series,” Barb said. “It was such a fun opportunity to be there when we were freshmen and I think all the seniors would love to give our underclassmen the same experience!”
Perks of being an athlete: Barb attributes her friendships made on the team as the biggest perk of being a student athlete.
“We are all very different,” Barb said, “but softball is the one thing that brings us together and it’s nice to be a part of something close like that.”
Major and future plans: Barb is a psychology major with a concentration in elementary and special education. After graduation, she plans to get her master’s in literacy.
Advice to future collegiate softball players: “Cherish your time here, all the ups and downs, because it goes by way too fast!”