Brooke Martin, secondary education senior, is passionate about her life and softball.

Martin said her education and playing softball are equally important to her.

Martin pitches and plays third base for the IUS softball team.

She recently had to make a huge decision in her education. She had to choose between graduating in May and giving up her final year of softball eligibility or to just wait until after softball.

“I did not even have to think twice about that decision,” she said.

Martin said she hopes to use her experience on the softball field after she is finished playing the game.

“I plan to be a coach one day when I find a teaching job,” Martin said. “I want to teach my players the life lessons that I’ve learned from the game.”

Martin has been playing softball since she was 7 years old, and before that she played tee-ball at 4 years old.

Softball is not the only sport Martin has played.

“I played basketball at Valley View Church from ages 10-16,” Martin said. “ I also played all three years at Stuart Middle School and my freshman year at Butler Traditional High School.”

Even though she has played basketball she said her greatest sports achievements come from playing softball during her senior year of high school.

“I played in the Kentucky State Tournament with a broken finger,” Martin said. “The very first game I got hit with a line drive while pitching and it knocked my glove off.”

She said she had to be taken out of that game but pitched in the other games afterward.

“I played through the pain because I knew that tournament was my last time playing in high school,” Martin said.  “Plus playing in the state tournament is something that most people do not get the opportunity to do.”

Martin came to IU Southeast to play softball. She said she enjoys knowing that her first year on campus was the first year IU Southeast had a softball program.

“It’s kind of cool knowing that I have been here since the beginning,” she said.

Martin’s teammates see her as a strong leader on the team.

“She is probably one of few girls that I have ever played with that has ample amounts of heart,” Katie Jelinek, education freshman, said. “Her passion for softball is truly inspiring and that is one of the many reasons why she is a great captain.”

Martin said whenever she is not playing sports she spends her time hanging out with her friends and family.

“My mom and granddad are my number one fans and they come to every game they possibly can,” she said. “They can always make me smile no matter the outcome of the game.”

Martin also said her team is her second family.

“When it comes to friendships, hers is one of a kind to have,” Jelinek said. “She is a well-rounded individual, and it definitely shows not only in her game on the field but also in her personal life. If you don’t know her you’re missing out.”

By CHASTITY HILGERT

Staff Writer

chilgert@umail.iu.edu