With a 10-hour drive on Feb. 10, the IUS softball team traveled to Hattiesburg, Miss., to play a six-game tournament at William Carey University.
Slightly warmer weather ensued while the Grenadiers faced tough match-ups against William Carey University, Belhaven University and Savannah College of Art and Design.
The women left the tournament 1-5.
Since the teams that play in the spring depend on the weather, Todd Buckingham, IUS softball head coach, said he hopes the field conditions will allow games to be played on-schedule.
For the 2011 season, the team will play 56 games total. Of those, 16 are against top-25 teams.
“There are a lot of high-caliber games,” Buckingham said. “I’m really, really looking forward to starting conference play. [Asbury University] is a big conference rival.”
Buckingham said there are 12 new players to the team this season. However, not all of them are freshmen. Some of the new players are transfer students.
There are six returning players, and five of them are starters.
“I feel like this team has a chance to be the best team we’ve ever had here,” Buckingham said. “I think we already have the best work ethic of any team I’ve had here.”
With a full season beginning back in August with practices, training and scrimmages, the women have been working hard — both physically and academically.
The team has a combined GPA of 3.24, which is the highest of any team on campus.
“I’m very excited about this particular team because of proof of their hard work,” Buckingham said. “Fifteen of our girls were named to the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll. These girls are doing the work in the classroom, and it’s translating to the hard work on the field.”
Buckingham isn’t the only one who recognizes the women’s hard work on-and-off the field. Joe Glover, interim athletic director, said he knows just how hard athletes work to fit in class, work obligations, games and practices.
“They’ve made a really big effort to focus on [grades],” Glover said. “They’ve done it. I’m very proud of them. As athletic director, you couldn’t ask for more. It’s great they understand it’s more than just athletics.”
Buckingham said they try to turn every home game into an experience for the fans.
“It’s not just going to be a game,” Buckingham said. “We’re going to have giveaways, special Olympic teams and youth teams doing things between games. We’re trying to build our team.”
The Grenadiers have more than 10 home games.
“I would urge any reader to come to any of the home games in March or April,” Buckingham said. “They will have a festival atmosphere.”
The Grenadiers intend to work hard to defend their title as 2010 tournament and regular season champions.
Games are free, and students, staff and faculty do not have to have their UCard to attend.
“Just come on down, sit on the bleachers or bring your own chair and soak up some sun and watch a great game,” Glover said. “It’s really a great game if you’ve never gotten to experience it.”
By JENNIFER
SCHONSCHACK
Staff
jschonsc@ius.edu
