25th Anniversary Softball Reunion Weekend a Success
12/13/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
By Rich Marion, U-M Athletic Media Relations
When one talks about college athletics, regardless of sport, the term "tradition" inevitably works its way into the conversation. Whether it's Michigan and Minnesota battling for the Little Brown Jug in football or the Michigan-Michigan State hockey series, tradition is often what separates the perception of a great program from just a good program. Very few programs have been able to develop a tradition steep enough that every player to wear that uniform feels a part of the current team and all its alumni feel they are part of one big family. What is more amazing is that type of feeling already exists in the Michigan softball program after just 25 years of existence.
The Michigan softball program recently celebrated its 25th anniversary with a tailgate and alumni softball game wrapped around the 2002 Michigan football homecoming festivities. Included in the anniversary celebration was the naming of the Silver Anniversary Michigan Softball Team, which was voted on by Michigan fans over the Internet and at home games during the 2002 season.
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Despite a history of sending Michigan to the pinnacle of collegiate softball, head coach Carol Hutchins, who will be leading the Maize and Blue for the 19th year this spring, claims the greatest achievement for Michigan softball is the tradition that continues to grow.
"I think the tradition we have established here at Michigan softball is our greatest accomplishment of all because we really have our own family to go with the tradition of success, the tradition of All-Americans and the tradition of winning," stated Hutchins.
And it was one big happy family at this year's reunion as Michigan softball players from the program's infancy in the late '70s when softball was not even on the NCAA's radar were able to bond with players fortunate enough to play in four straight WCWS in the mid to late-'90s.
"Meghan Doe (current Michigan centerfielder) came up to me this weekend and told me I did not smile this much at the World Series last year," stated Hutchins. "And I told her this weekend was my reward. Coaching is about people and to see all those people I coached come back made it so rewarding for me and I had more fun than anybody that weekend."
Whether Hutch, the name her players often refer to her as, would be willing to admit it or not, she is primarily responsible for her own happiness that weekend because the coach is almost always the reason former players come back. The true barometer of a successful collegiate athletic program, more so than victories and championships, is best measured in the number of former players willing to travel from all over the country to honor the tradition of a program they still feel a part of.
"Out of 136 alums on our list, we had 73 return, which I thought was a really great response. It was one big smile the whole weekend," remembered Hutchins. "It was great reconnecting with all of the former players and watching them reconnect with one another. Then to see players from different eras getting to know each other made the whole weekend everything I could have ever hoped for."
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"It helps them when they identify with some of the names they see in the record books, and my current kids were very impressed with the talent they saw on that field in the alumni game," Hutchins proudly remarked. "Seeing all the great players at the alumni game gives them that sense that this is not just about us, but every time we take the field for Michigan it is about all the players that came before them. It is a feeling that does not just happen and you have to create that sense of pride."
Even Hutchins would be the first to admit that it is these players -- current and former -- as well as future Wolverines that make Michigan softball something special. It is the people she brings in this program that have sustained its success and made it such a sense of pride for everybody that has been part of it.
"Everybody does have that one thing in common and that is Michigan softball, which is something they cherish and are proud of. The former players love the tradition we have created in the locker room and they know that we are not just about Michigan now, but all the people who have played softball for Michigan," explained Hutchins. "That weekend represented all 25 years and I can't tell me how many of those people have called or e-mailed me and said thank you for including them in that weekend."
There is an oft-repeated mantra around Michigan athletics regarding what it takes for a coach or athlete to be a true "Michigan Man." Well, that may need to be amended because Hutchins has loaded her program through the years with what she refers to as quality "Michigan People" and she attributes much of their success to that philosophy.
"When we recruit kids we tell them that they are really going to enjoy their time here and we get kids that really embrace the Michigan traditions and love the program," explained Hutchins. "If we ever do get a new stadium for softball, I want the name of the field to remain Alumni Field and I want the alumni to always feel a part of this program."
Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423
