Kornacki: Softball Graduates Reflect on Special Day
5/2/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
By Steve Kornacki
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- It was quite a day for reflection.
They had watched Michigan beat Penn State, 8-0, at Alumni Field and hurried to their softball locker room to prepare for a second opportunity to acknowledge success. They were headed to the second annual Student-Athlete Graduation Celebration at Crisler Center.
Pitchers Sara Driesenga and Haylie Wagner joined catcher Becca Garfinkel in the golf cart that would whisk them away Friday evening (May 1). They wore mortar boards and gowns and wide smiles that showed what a special time this was.
Before the group buzzed to their destination, fans asked for autographs. Jannell Tillman, a season-ticket holder who sits faithfully behind home plate, wanted Driesenga to take a Sharpie to the No. 10 jersey she secured in an auction Friday night for the Michigan Softball Academy, which honors breast cancer survivors and raises money for the American Cancer Society.
Driesenga leaned in to sign her pink jersey on the back seat of the golf cart (pictured), sun setting in the background, and Tillman informed that this was going to be framed and displayed in her home in Linden, Michigan.
"I've watched her and these other girls grow and prosper," said Tillman. "They've gone from freshmen to seniors and accomplished so much. They won a game today and now they're going to celebrate graduating from Michigan.
"That's an awesome day, isn't it?"
Coach Carol Hutchins sat behind the wheel of the golf cart, known as the "Hutch Mobile," and drove them along an asphalt trail before crossing the railroad tracks, where Crisler came into view.
"Hutch, are you going to cry?" asked Garfinkel.
Hutchins chuckled and kept driving. A group of tailgaters left over from the softball game spotted the foursome and began saluting them with whoops and cheers.
"It's cool to know all of our fans are there supporting us," said Wagner. "We have the best fans in the world."
As they neared the parking lot, Hutchins began beeping the horn and the girls laughed about their coach sharing the joy of their moment. Hutchins then beeped the horn with real purpose, assuring a safe parking spot right in front of the northeast Crisler entrance.
They were greeted there by Lori and Brian Driesenga, the proud parents of the graduate, who had made the drive from Hudsonville on the west side of the state of Michigan. The Driesengas and others applauded.
"I can't believe how fast it's gone," said Lori, beaming with pride. "This has been such a great experience for her and us. What a great accomplishment it is to be at Michigan and play on the great softball team and graduate from this great university."
Brian added, "It's awesome. What's better to say than that you have a child graduating from Michigan? And she's had a great time on the field, too. She won a game in the College World Series."
The softball players were among more than 150 on 31 varsity teams attending the one-hour-long ceremony and listened to keynote speaker Jason Avant, entering his 10th season in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs after a standout academic and athletic career at Michigan. Field hockey's Leslie Smith and diver Kevin Bain also addressed their fellow graduates, before Smith led them all in a hearty rendition of "The Victors."
The head coaches of each team greeted their graduates on the podium, and Hutchins gave each of them a big hug, slapping them on the back several times. She even dislodged Driesenga's mortar board, before her pitcher reached up to grab it and keep it atop her head.
Driesenga is a team captain, and a two-time All-Big Ten first-team selection. She was outstanding as a sophomore, going 31-9 with a 1.89 earned-run and striking out 247 in 263 1/3 innings. Driesenga is 90-17 with a 1.88 ERA for her career.
"It was cool to be surrounded by all of these people who have gone through these four years with us," said Driesenga. "What I thought was so important was what Jason Avant told us. It rang true."
Avant told them: "Remember who you are. Who you are is more than enough. It was more than enough because you graduated from Michigan."
Driesenga added, "To hear, 'Who you are is good enough,' just to hear that was special. We're scared for the transition. We're nervous to go out into the real world, and to have that confidence that we are enough is all that we need."
Her degree is in psychology, and Driesenga said she has applied for Michigan's School of Social Work. "So," she added, "I'll possibly be sticking around and going to grad school."
Wagner graduated with a degree in general studies and is hoping to pursue some "softball options" after completing her college eligibility. The native of Orange, California, plans to eventually go to massage therapy school.
Wagner was the unanimous choice as Big Ten Pitcher and Freshman of the Year in 2012, when she went 32-7 with a 1.53 ERA. She enters her Saturday (May 2) start against Penn State with a 94-17 career record and a sparkling 1.84 ERA.
"What I'll remember most about today is being here with my family and fellow student-athletes," said Wagner, "and just all the love and support we've had. We had a game, came straight from our game, and it was awesome to be around it all."
Garfinkel was a walk-on from West Bloomfield, Michigan, who made the team and contributed most as a bullpen catcher, warming up pitchers while playing in 29 games. She's also involved in volunteering and community work and got her degree in political science with a minor in community action and social change.
"I'm going abroad next year to teach English," said Garfinkel. "My two options right now are France or Israel. I'm so excited."
She felt a rush when arriving at the graduation celebration.
"When we got out of the 'Hutch Mobile,'" said Garfinkel, "we walked into the lobby of Crisler ,and every student-athlete was on the escalators on the way up to the concourse. And we turned around and they go, 'Softball!' It was so cool to be recognized and welcomed by our fellow student-athletes. And it's so indicative of this community we have that loves each other and supports each other. And they were all surprised we made it on time after the game."
It helped that the mercy rule went into effect, shortening the game to five innings. Megan Betsa threw a one-hit shutout, while catcher Lauren Sweet hit two homers, and Kelly Christner also hit one out to get the graduates to Crisler on time.
"I was kind of nervous going across that stage," said Garfinkel, "and then Hutch gave me that big hug. It was so good to see a friendly face. It shows how proud she is of all of us and how much she really cares."
Garfinkel, after posing for photos with her teammates on the Crisler floor, was asked if Hutchins did cry.
"Hutch didn't cry," said Garfinkel. "She usually saves that for Sunday."
That's the day of the final regular-season home game against the Nittany Lions.
"But I'm not letting go of them yet!" proclaimed Hutchins. "They're not going anywhere just yet, and I'm expecting big things of Team 38 in the postseason. They haven't sung 'The Victors' for the last time."
She stayed until after the celebration's reception to drive her graduating trio back to the Shepherd Softball Complex in the "Hutch Mobile," and got a twinkle in her eye when discussing them.
"Tonight was a touching reminder of what we've been through together," said Hutchins. "It's a unique bond we've formed."
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