Players of the Year
Diamond Sports/NFCA Pacific-10 Conference Players of the Year Catcher of the Year - 2002 - Jennie Finch - Pitcher of the Year for two years. Her ability earned her three first- Lovie Jung - Newcomer of the Year team All-America honors. - 1998 - Leah Braatz 2001 - Jennie Finch - Pitcher of the Year Shortstop Laura Espinoza was the first of - 1997 - Leah Braatz - 1998 - Alison McCutcheon the nation’s sluggers with the advent of the new - 1997 - Alison McCutcheon ball and set a remarkable record with 37 home - 1996 - Jenny Dalton Braatz is Arizona’s only four-time first- runs and 132 runs batted in during her senior - 1995 - Laura Espinoza team All-American selection and completed - 1994 - Susie Parra season. Her career mark of 85 home runs was her career in superb fashion in winning back- threatened only by Braatz and well could stand to-back national honors for her position. UA centerfielder Alison McCutcheon was in that tie for some time. She was a three-time Braatz tied former UA great Laura Espinoza not an easy choice for Pac-10 Player of the Year first-team All-America selection and one of the (1992-95) in 1998 for the NCAA career lead in 1998 (or 1997) because of the outstanding Wildcats’ five players (Amy Chellevold, Leah in home runs with 85. She hit .410, her years turned in by teammates Nancy Evans and Braatz, Leah O’Brien, Jenny Dalton) to earn career best, with 25 home runs and 100 RBI, Leah Braatz in 1998 or those two and Leah four-time, first-team All-Pacific-10 Conference becoming only the third player in NCAA O’Brien in 1997. But, once selected, none could honors. During her reign as the clean-up hitter history to drive in more than 100 runs along quibble with her credentials. She collected more for the Wildcats, she was the leader behind a with former teammates Espinoza (128 in than 100 hits for the second year in a row (a number of team NCAA marks the Cats set, 1995) and Jenny Dalton (109 in 1996). Her single-season record 132 in 1997 and 117 in including 100 home runs, 629 runs, 1,216 total 322 career RBI are No. 3 on the NCAA 1998) and stole 67 bases in 70 attempts, plus bases, 287 walks and 565 RBI. chart behind those two players. Her career scored 97 runs. Her career hits total is the top In 2000, the Pac-10 began awarding batting average of .381 is No. 5 on the figure in NCAA history at 405 – the only player player, pitcher and newcomer of the Arizona charts. On the UA career charts she ever to eclipse the 400 mark. She is Arizona’s year honors. UA’s Jennie Finch won the 2001 is No. 1 in doubles, No. 2 in walks and RBI, career leader in hitting (.534) and in season and 2002 Pitcher of the Year Awards and shortstop Lovie Jung won the 2002 Newcomer and No. 4 in hits and runs scored. Defen- hitting (.466 in 1997), in career stolen bases of the Year Award. sively she was one of the best in the game (148) and single-season SB (67)... Arguably the and opponents were able to steal only 66 best leadoff hitter in America, she was clearly bases and were thrown out 27 times. the most consistent onbase threat in the game
Leah Braatz Alison McCutcheon Laura Espinoza
ARIZONA SOFTBALL 2003 - 39 2001 NCAA Champions
For the sixth time in 11 years, Arizona walked away with the NCAA Softball Championship. The Cats defeated the Bruins 1-0 in the title game. An amazing pitching performance by junior Jennie Finch and a fourth inning home-run by senior catcher Lindsey Collins paved the way for the Wildcats. Finch improved her season record to 32-0 and her extended winning streak to 40 straight games. Arizona was ranked No. 1 and No. 2 for much of the year. The Wildcats came into the season with a 31-game winning streak and ended the year with a 26-game winning streak. For most of the season the Cats led the Pac-10 in batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage and runs scored. Arizona’s fielding percentage (.981) led the nation and is the third best in NCAA history. The Cats also had 126 home runs which broke the previous NCAA record of 100 set by the 1995 UA team. The record of 1.83 home runs per game is also an NCAA record. Arizona’s talented team earned a number of individual awards. Pitcher Jennie Finch received the Honda Award as National Player of the Year along with first-team All-America honors and Pac-10 Pitcher of the Year accolades. Senior third baseman Toni Mascarenas, freshman designated player Leneah Manuma and senior outfielders Lauren Bauer and Nicole Giordano also earned All-America nods.
2001 CWS Scores (Winning Pitcher) Arizona 3, California 2 (Finch) Arizona 5, Oklahoma 4 (Finch) Arizona 1, Stanford 0 (Lemke) Arizona 1, UCLA 0 (Finch)
2001 Arizona All-CWS Jennie Finch, p ~ Most Valuable Player Toni Mascarenas, 3b Nicole Giordano, of Lindsey Collins, c
2001 All-Americans Jennie Finch, p, National Player of the Year Toni Mascarenas, 3b Lauren Bauer, of Leneah Manuma, dp Nicole Giordano, of, 3rd Team
ARIZONA SOFTBALL 2003 - 40 2001 NCAA Champions at the White House
1997 NCAA Champions
Arizona was ranked No. 1 much of the season and just decided to stay • 1997 Arizona All-CWS Picks: on top, completing a remarkable 61-5 season with its Nancy Evans, p, - Most Valuable Player fifth NCAA Championship and second back-to-back effort. Effort paved Leah O’Brien, 1b the way, but talent helped. UA again was represented by five first-team All- Alison Johnsen, of Americans as selected by the nation’s coaches — pitcher Nancy Evans, catcher Leah Braatz, first baseman Leah O’Brien, third baseman Leticia • 1997 Arizona All-Americans Pineda and outfielder Alison Johnsen. Nancy Evans, p But individual honors were the gravy alone as the Cats stayed locked Leah Braatz, c on target throughout a focused season playing for all the marbles. Integrat- Leah O’Brien, 1b ing a number of young players with championship veterans, coach Mike Alison Johnsen, Pac-10 Player of the Year Candrea kept his team playing hard the whole year. Hard enough for a 26- Leticia Pineda, 3b 1 finish and Pac-10 Championship; hard enough for a 27-4 mark against ranked teams. Johnsen set a lot of tone in the regular season, finishing with a Uarecord .534 batting average and an NCAA-record 132 hits. O’Brien capped a remarkable career by using her talent at its best when all the chips were on the table: she collected 9 hits and 6 RBI in the College World Series and finished her CWS career with an incredible total of 31 hits and 19 RBI in four different classics. Evans, with an Arizona-record 36 pitching victories, also saved some best for last. She threw all five Arizona games at the World Series and finished the year with verve as UA topped UCLA 10-2 in a runaway title game.
• 1997 CWS Scores (Winning Pitcher) Arizona 2, Massachusetts 1 (Evans) Arizona 2, No. 5 UCLA 0 (Evans) No. 4 Fresno State 3, Arizona 0 (Scott) Arizona 6, No. 4 Fresno State 3 (Evans) Arizona 10, No. 5 UCLA 2 (Evans)
ARIZONA SOFTBALL 2003 - 41 1996 NCAA Champions For the second time, Arizona followed a season (1992 and 1995) in • 1996 Arizona All-CWS which it won the Pac-10 title but finished as runnerup in the College Jenny Dalton, 2b, Most Valuable Player World Series... with a second-place finish in the league, but the NCAA Alison Johnsen, of title. Decent trade. Arizona got hot when it counted, ending the season Krista Gomez, at-large with a 17-game winning streak. There were numerous keys — everyone Carrie Dolan, p on the team. Pinch-runners scored runs, pinch-hitters got hits, pitchers Michelle Churnock, at-large battled whether ahead or behind, and Arizona once again put an awesome offensive attack on the field. • 1996 Arizona All-Americans Jenny Dalton won the Pac-10 Triple Crown, the first player to do Jenny Dalton, 2b; National Player of the Year so, with a .469 batting average, 25 home runs and an incredible 109 Leticia Pineda, c RBI. Leticia Pineda, put in the everyday catching role because of Leah Alison Johnsen, of Braatz’ redshirt season, hit 14 homers and drove in 96, plus batted .404. Carrie Dolan, p, 2nd team Carrie Dolan, carrying most of the pitching load because of Nancy Krista Gomez, 3b, 2nd team Evans’ medical hardship season, won a school-record 35 games against six Brandi Shriver, of, 2nd team losses, but freshman Lisa Pitt also came through with a dandy 19-3 record, too. Outfielder Alison Johnsen put herself at the next level with a 94-hit seeason and a .450 batting average. Third baseman Krista Gomez hit .400 and finished with the fourth-best career batting average in UA history, .358, plus hit the career charts in hits, RBI, runs and stolen bases, among others. Arizona played in a regional out of the state for the first time, but used it to pull together, and hit the road for 11 days to bring back the trophy.
• 1996 CWS Scores (Winning Pitcher) Arizona 5, Iowa 2 (Pitt) Arizona 4, UCLA 0 (Dolan Arizona 10, Iowa 2, 6 innings (Pitt) Arizona 6, Washington 4 (Dolan)
1994 NCAA Champions
The Cats ‘chuck-and-duck’ hitting attack displays one of the most • 1994 Arizona All-CWS picks awesome punches in the history of the college game. The Cats sock their Susie Parra, p; Leah Braatz, c; Amy Chellevold, 1b; way to an NCAA-record 64 victories (against 3 losses), start the year with Jenny Dalton, 2b; Leah O’Brien, of a school-record 27-game winning streak and end the campaign undefeated (7-0) in post-season play for the first time. Along the way, Arizona blasts • 1994 Arizona All-Americans 93 home runs, led by junior shortstop Laura Espinoza’s jersey-number feat Leah Braatz, c; Amy Chellevold, 1b; Jenny Dalton, 2b; (30), 18 by freshman catcher Leah Braatz, 16 by soph second baseman Laura Espinoza, ss; Leah O’Brien, of; Susie Parra, p Jenny Dalton and 14 by senior Susie Parra, who capped a remarkable career with National Player of the Years honors by winning the Honda Softball Award. Parra dominated from the pitching circle, completing a 33-1 season. She did not allow an earned run in three CWS victories, plus struck out 13 in the NCAA title game. She threw the seventh and eighth no-hitters of her career. Junior first baseman Amy Chellevold hit .504 in the leadoff spot and soph center fielder Leah O’Brien .416 batting second. Dalton hit .434. Arizona set a national record with its .380 team batting average. Espinoza knocked in an incredible 95 runs in 66 games. Freshmen pitchers Nancy Evans and Carrie Dolan made marks with 17-0 and 11-2 records.
• 1994 CWS Scores (Winning Pitcher) Arizona 8, No. 19 Illinois-Chicago 0, 5 innings (Evans) Arizona 3, No. 6 Fresno St. 0 (Parra) Arizona 5, No. 5 UCLA 2 (Parra) Arizona 4, No. 3 CS-Northridge 0 (Parra)
ARIZONA SOFTBALL 2003 - 42 1993 NCAA Champions
The Wildcats do not successfully defend their first conference • 1993 Arizona All-Americans championship (16-2 in 1992), yet again come through with a solid post- Susie Parra, p season run to win the bigger title. Jamie Heggen, of The power-hitting Wildcats win the NCAA home run title with 36 Laura Espinoza, ss, 2nd team roundtrippers in their 52 games, and run production leads the way to a 44- Amy Chellevold, 1b, 2nd team 8 season and a 15-3 record for second place in the Pac-10. Pitching was not Jody Pruitt, c, 2nd team a problem either, as junior Susie Parra sparkled with a 28-3 record, 3 saves and an outstanding earned run average of 0.63. Freshman Leah O’Brien added a 16-5 mark. Catcher Jody (Miller) Pruitt held opponents to 6 stolen bases, the Cats hit a then school-record .328 as a team. Sophomore Laura Espinoza hit the scene in a big way with 12 home runs and Amy Chellevold led a solid group of hitters with a .379 batting average. The Cats opened the year 22-2 to earn the school’s first No. 1 ranking and Arizona later proved it was an accurate peg with an NCAA title-game victory over another No. 1-ranked team, UCLA.
• 1993 CWS Scores (Winning Pitcher) Arizona 6, No. 7 Long Beach St. 0 (Parra) Arizona 2, No. 8 SW Louisiana 1, 10 innings (Parra) Arizona 1, No. 4 Oklahoma St. 0, 9 innings (Parra) No. 8 SW La. 1, Arizona 0, 8 innings, (Hall) Arizona 1, No. 1 UCLA 0 (Parra)
• 1993 Arizona All-CWS Susie Parra, p Amy Chellevold, 1b Stacy Redondo, of Krista Gomez, 2b Jody Pruitt, c 1991 NCAA Champions
Arizona wins its first women’s team national championship in any • 1991 Arizona All-Americans sport. Pitching (Debby Day 30-8, 0.50; Susie Parra 14-3, 0.43; Julie Jones Julie Standering, ss 12-5, 1.21) and defense (.970 team fielding percentage, Julie Standering Julie Jones, 1b, 2nd team 187 assists at shortstop) were keys to the season. The Cats also stole 119 Debby Day, p, 3rd team bases. Jones (.350), Jamie Heggen (.330), Kristin Gauthier (.300), Standering (.296) and Jody Miller (.272) had outstanding seasons at the plate. The Cats beat No. 1-ranked UCLA twice at the College World Series to earn the championship, including a 5-1 victory in the title game. UA had four extra-inning games in the classic. The Cats used short-game tactics much of the year and were led by Standering with 30 and Miller with 20 stolen bases. Arizona finished the year 56-16 overall. The Cats were frustrated in the tough Pac-10 Conference at 11-9 and a fourth-place finish.
• 1991 CWS Scores (Winning Pitcher) Arizona 1, No. 5 UNLV 0, 13 innings (Day) Arizona 1, No. 1 UCLA 0, 9 innings (Day) Arizona 1, No. 18 Long Beach State 0, 8 innings (Day) No. 2 Fresno State 1, Arizona 0, 8 innings (Carpenter) Arizona 5, No. 1 UCLA 0 (Day)
• 1991 Arizona All-CWS Julie Jones, 1b Julie Standering, ss Kristin Gauthier, of Debby Day, p
ARIZONA SOFTBALL 2003 - 43 Wildcat Pitching Tradition Throughout the years, Arizona has maintained itself as a pre-eminent Arizona Pitching Honors: pitching ballclub, with a cumulative earned run average of 1.18 in 21 years Honda Softball Award - Nancy Evans, Susie Parra, Jennie Finch (01/02) of Division I softball play. First-team All-America - Finch (00/01/02), Evans (97/98), Parra (93/94), Three of Arizona’s five Honda Softball Award winners — Susie Parra in 1994, Nancy Evans in 1998, and Jennie Finch in 2001 and 2002 — Carrie Dolan (95), Debbie Day (92) were pitchers (though they contributed greatly in those honored seasons Second-team All-America - Dolan (96), Parra (92), Teresa Cherry (88), with their bats as well). Julie Jones (until, 90) In 2002, the one-two punch of senior Jennie Finch and sophomore Third-team All-America - Day (91), Becky Lemke (99) Jenny Gladding struck out 576 batters. The duo combined for a 1.31 College World Series MVP - Evans (97), Finch (01) ERA. All-College World Series - Evans (95/98), Dolan (96), Parra (92/93/94), Finch was named Pac-10 Pitcher of the Year for the second consecu- Day (91), Finch (01/02) tive season and finished 2002 with a 34-6 record and a 0.97 ERA. Her 34 NCAA All-Regional - Evans (97/98), Finch (99/00/01/02), Jenny Gladding (02). victories was a Pac-10 best. She struck out 366 batters in 273 innings Pacific-10 Player of the Year - Parra (94), Finch (01) pitched, which is No. 1 in the UA record book. Finch struck out a career- high 19 batters against Oklahoma on April 17, 2002. Finch also ended the USA National Team - Evans (97), Parra (93/94/95), Finch (02). season with 14 double-digit strikeout performances. All-Pac-10 - Lemke (’99/00), Finch (00/01/02), Evans (94/95/97/98), Finch closed her Wildcat career with a 119-16 overall winning Dolan (95/96/97), Parra (92/93/94), Day (91/92), Jones (90), Ginnie Scheller (90), record, which moves her No. 2 on the UA record charts for most career Cherry (88) victories. She ended her career with eight no-hitters, tying Susie Parra as the top UA blank artist. Finch finished her career with 1,028 strikeouts, Arizona’s Career No-hitters: No. 1 in the UA record book, and became only the fifth pitcher in UA Pitcher Date Opponent history to win more than 100 games. Tonja Anderson 4/17/77 Northern Arizona Tonja Anderson 5/28/77 Arizona State Gladding, who subsequently transferred from the program, had an Sandy Miramontes 4/17/82 Southern California impressive season in 2002, ending the year with a 21-6 record. She also Sheryl Kempkes 3/11/83 San Diego State had a 1.88 ERA and struck out 210 batters. Pam Stone 3/06/84 UC-Santa Barbara Sandy Miramontes 5/04/84 Oregon Evans threw three no-hitters in 1998 to give her five in her career, Teresa Cherry 3/07/87 Central Michigan which included two first-team All-America seasons as a pitcher. Evans and Lisa Bautista 3/19/87 Oklahoma (5) Parra are Arizona’s only repeat selections on the NFCA first-team All- Teresa Cherry 3/26/87 Fresno State Lisa Bautista 2/25/88 Minnesota America honor roll as pitchers. Leslie VanOver 3/12/88 Oregon State Parra and Debbie Day threw two no-hitters in one day in 1991. Day Leslie VanOver 3/24/88 San Fransisco also threw back-to-back no-hitters on successive days in 1992. Parra threw Doreen Juarez 5/06/89 California Julie Jones 4/21/90 California a perfect game against a powerful California club in April 1993 and Debby Day 2/14/91 Pacific (5) against Oregon State a year earlier. Debby Day 2/22/91 UNLV The 1995 season had a Wildcat pitching highlight when the duo of Susie Parra 2/24/91 UC-Santa Barbara Julie Jones 3/22/91 Colorado State Evans and Carrie Dolan matched the feats of previous pitchers Day and Debby Day 3/22/91 Oregon State Parra. Evans and Dolan combined for two no-hitters in one day in March Susie Parra 4/05/91 St. Mary’s (5) Debby Day 4/05/91 St. Mary’s 1995 when Dolan beat New Mexico in five innings, and Evans turned Susie Parra** 4/11/92 Oregon State (6) around and defeated Pacific in five innings. Evans then continued on her Debby Day 4/24/92 Oregon State hot streak when she threw a no-hitter the following day against New Debby Day 4/25/92 Oregon Susie Parra 2/13/93 Texas-San Antonio (5) Mexico, matching a feat by Day, by throwing back-to-back no-hitters in Susie Parra 2/19/93 Fresno State consecutive days. Dolan and Evans gave Arizona a first, though B three Susie Parra** 4/18/93 California (8) successive no-hitters. Susie Parra 2/13/94 Texas A & M Susie Parra 4/23/94 Oregon State In 1997, Dolan threw the only no-hitter against Alabama in Carrie Dolan 3/04/95 New Mexico (5) Southwestern Louisiana’s Classics Tournament. Evans had three one-hitters Nancy Evans 3/04/95 Pacific (5) in 1997, and Dolan threw one. Nancy Evans 3/05/95 New Mexico (5) Carrie Dolan 3/24/95 Texas A & M In 1998, freshman Becky Lemke turned in the best-ever record for an Carrie Dolan 2/23/97 Alabama (5) Arizona newcomer, finishing with a 25-2 record. She tossed four one- Nancy Evans 3/7/98 Texas Tech (6) hitters and three two-hit games, and she was unbeaten in league games at Nancy Evans 4/19/98 Stanford (5) Nancy Evans 5/9/98 UCLA 13-0. Jennie Finch 5/21/99 Southwest Texas Parra and Day combined to give UA a school record 41 shutouts in Becky Lemke 2/4/00 Southern Mississippi (5) 1992. Becky Lemke 3/11/00 Brigham Young Becky Lemke 5/18/00 Middle Tennessee State (6) Jennie Finch 2/18/00 Tennessee State (5) Jennie Finch 2/25/00 Drake (5) Jennie Finch 5/21/00 Nebraska Becky Lemke 2/2/01 Florida Atlantic Becky Lemke 2/16/01 Bowling Green (6) Jenny Gladding 3/3/01 Indiana State (6) Jenny Gladding 3/6/01 Creighton (6) Becky Lemke 3/13/01 San Diego (5) Jennie Finch 4/1/01 Oregon State Jennie Finch 2/17/02 New Mexico State (6) Jennie Finch 3/2/02 Evansville (5) Jennie Finch 3/14/02 Notre Dame **Perfect game
ARIZONA SOFTBALL 2003 - 44 Arizona Alumni Letterwinners
Gomez, Krista 93-96 Pitt, Lisa 96-97 Gonzales, Rachel 82-84, 86 Pricer, Meghann 98-99 Guise, Lisa 90-93 Quiroz, Rebekah 02 Hagen, Carrie 02 Rawson, Regina 79-82 Haggerty, Terry 76-79 Redondo, Stacy 90-93 Halbwachs, Heidi 88-89 Reed, Robin 75 Hammer, Susan 86-87 Reid, Nanci 75 Hancock, Jayne 79-80 Reitan, Julie 95-97 Hanson, Erika, 98-99-00-01 Ribella, Lisha 00-01-02 Harrell, Kay 75-76 Rice, Lindsay 00 Harris, Landa 83-84 Richards, Marcia 75-76 Hejduk, Tiana 96-98 Riha, Toni 79 Heggen, Jamie 91-93 Robinson, Lindsay 99-00 Hicks, Kathleen 78 Rosas, Renee 90-92 Hirons, Denise 81 Rosenbery, Kathi 79-80 Holm, Vivian 87-90 Rundquist, Julie 80 Husk, Laura Jo 75-76 Salcido, Stephanie 89-92 Jackson, Sherry 75-76 Schade, Debbie 78 Johnsen, Alison 95-98 Scheller, Ginnie 87-90 Johnson, Jean 82-83 Shriver, Brandi 94-97 Jones, Julie 89-91 Sloan, Susan 76-79 Juarez, Doreen 89-90 Springborn, Ann 83 Jung, Lovieanne 02 Standering, Julie 89-91 Kempkes, Sheryl 83-86 Stedman, Catherine 90 Nicole Giordano King, Robin 78 Stock, Chris 80 Knox, Pam 79 Stone, Pam 82-84 (Active players in italic) Conner, Eillen 77 Koebensky, Karen 87-88 Swan, Katherine, 97-00 Cookson, Janis 81-84 Kuchan, Patty 82-84 Taylor, Cathy 75-76 Abrams, Candace 01-02 Corrao, Barbara 81 Lady, Suzie 88-91 Tyndall, Dottie 78 Acevedo, Barbara 78 Dalton, Jenny 93-96 Langford, Kathy Jo 82-85 Vandergeest, Mackenzie 01-02 Acuna, Teresa Marie 99 Davenport, Gail 76-79 LaRose, Kathleen 78-79 VanOver, Leslie 88 Adreon, Tonja 76-77 Day, Debby 91-92 Lemke, Becky, 98-99-00-01 Von Liechtenstein, Allyson 02 Aguilar, Marcie 90-91 Demeter, Teresa 98,99,00,01 Lievens, Heidi 85-88 Welchert, Janice 75 Almhjell, Tracy 87-88 Dennis, Nicki 89-90 Lim, Dana 76 Wheat, Jamie 84 86-88 Amado, Jeanette 85-86, 88 DeSanta Valerie 80 Loeper, Liz 76-77 Willis, Felecity, 98-99 Anazaldua, Vicky 75, 77-78 Dinota, Dee 81-84 Longanecker, Jo 79-82 Winkleplek, Julie 79, 81 Andrade, Allison 00-01 Dolan, Carrie 94-97 Lopez, Gloria 76-77 Zepeda, Valerie 92-94 Avery, Star 75 Doty, Andrea 94-96 Manuma, Leneah 01-02 Zingaro, Denise 85, 87 Barash, Nan 80 Dougall, Jane 85-88 Martinez, Jennifer 92 Amy Baray, 99 Duarte, Susie 91-94 Martinez, Michelle 93-94 Bauer, Lauren, 98-99-00-01 Dyke, Juanita 81-82 Mascarenas, Toni, 98-99-00-01 Bautista, Lisa 86-89 Engel, Stacy (Hill)86-89 Masi, Gail 75 Bernstein, Lisa 8.-86 Espinoza, Laura 92-95 McBride, Mickie 87 Boodry, Krista 85-86 Evans, Nancy 94-95,97-98 McDowell, Paige 84-87 Bomberger, Heidi 96 Farhat, Tanya 96 McKinny, Tammy 87-88 Boutin, Trish 85-86 Farley, Crystal 02 Meek, Mary 79 Braatz, Leah 94-95, 97-98 Fellenz, Karen 83-85 (Miller) Pruitt, Jody 90-93 Butler, Deanna 80 Finch, Jennie 99-02 Miramontes, Sandy 82-84 Buxton, Sarah 78 Finnerty, Meaghan 02 Moran, Cindy 83 Cardinal, Barbara 81 Fossatti, Courtney 02 Mullins, Lindsay, 97 Carson, Peggy 77 Foster, Betsy 75 Nelson, Robin 85 Cassidy, Mary 79-82 Gallego, Norma 75-76 Nobley, Sheryl 81-82 Castillo, Tersa 91 Garcia, Barbara 78-81 Nuckolls, Debbie 80 Cawley, Gail 81-82 Gault, Julie 75, 77 O’Brien, Leah 93-95, 97 Celey, Tammy 76-79 Gauthier, Kristin 88-91 Ogg, Margret 80 Chellevold, Amy 92-95 Gil, Christine, 97-00 Overs, Julie 85-86 Cherry, Teresa 85-88 Giocondo, Kathy 79-82 Overstreet, Glenna 81 Churnock, Michelle 96-99 Giordano, Nicole, 98-99-00-01 Parra, Susie 91-94 Coburn, Jaclyn 02 Gladding, Jenny 01-02 Peters, Gail 81-82 Collins, Lindsey, 98-99-00-01 Glasser, Candy 86 Pineda, Leticia 95-98 Colvin, Amanda 92
ARIZONA SOFTBALL 2003 - 45 Rita Hillenbrand Stadium
Arizona set softball school attendance records in Rita Hillenbrand years ago, and went out and Stadium last season with a total draw of 49,140, a per game average of 1,755 proved it was equal to the Yearly Attendance: 1993 8,808, 12 dates, 734 average patrons and a single-game crowd of 3,161 for the April 7 UCLA game. trappings by winning two 1994 21,057, 16 dates,1,316 average** That growth and crowd support underscores the attraction of UA softball consecutive NCAA champion- 1995 25,261, 17 dates, 1,486 average** and its home field. ships and leading the nation in 1996 20,748, 15 dates, 1,383 average Obviously, one reason is the Cats’ typical home success – victories. UA attendance in 1994 and 1995. UA 1997 22,294, 14 dates, 1,592 average 1998 28,651, 20 dates, 1,433 average has played to a 310-18 record at home and last year the above game against added another back-to-back 1999 28,189, 21 dates, 1,342 average UCLA snapped a remarkable 70-game home field winning streak. Nonetheless, NCAA title splurge in 1996 and 2000 34,581, 26 dates, 1,330 average 10 of the top 30 crowds in stadium history watched UA play ball in 2002. 1997. The outfield fence is 2001 46,499, 28 dates, 1,661 average 2002 49,140, 28 dates, 1775 average Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium is one of many Arizona athletic festooned with those and other (**NCAA Leader) facilities supported by Mr. and Mrs. William G. Hillenbrand. Bill Hillenbrand championship banners. UA also and his wife, Doby (Delores D.), financed the $1 million stadium and has won four Pac-10 titles since landscaping in memory of their late sister-in-law, Rita. The family later moving into Hillenbrand Stadium. contributed more funds to provide the wrought iron fencing surrounding the The Wildcats put together an 11-game winning streak the first year in the park. park before dropping a game to Northern Illinois. Since then, Arizona has had The family has provided tremendous support for a number of UA athletic home winning streaks of 45. 28, 26, and 29 at home. Only 11 teams have programs through gifts to develop and support the UA’s aquatic center, the beaten Arizona in 226 games in Hillenbrand — UCLA (three times, 1993, 1996, 1999), Northern Illinois in 1994, Fresno State in 1996, Washington (twice, in 1996, 1998), UNLV in 1994, Oklahoma (1998), Texas Tech (1998), Arizona In Hillenbrand Cal State Northridge (1999), California (1999), Oregon State (1999) and Seasons: 10 Maryland (1999). Overall: 310-18 Pac-10: 124-12 Several games against top competition have been cablecast regionally or NCAAs: 27-1 nationally by ESPN or Fox Sports Net and all games attract a solid contingent Last Home Win: 6-1, Stanford, May 5, 2002 of fans, area television and print reporters. Last Home Loss: 6-5 to UCLA, April 7, 2002 Hillenbrand Stadium offers clean line-of-sight views for all spectators, an Last Home Pac-10 Loss: 6-5 to UCLA, April 7, 2002 Top Home Winning Streaks: 70 games, May 5, 2000 – April 6, 2002 excellent stabilizer-red infield surface, an oversized backstop, a pressbox, a 45 games, 5-3-96 to 3-6-98 28-foot electronic scoreboard, recessed masonry dugouts, double-warmup 29 (1995-96) bullpens, wheelchair access and seating areas, permanent six-foot outfield fence, 28 (1993-94) permanent restroom, concession and ticketing facilities under the grandstand, 26 (1994-95) and a memorial entryway. All permanent seats in the park are chair- or plank-back and outfield bleachers seating put fans on all sides of the field. baseball stadium and Arizona’s football program. Another focal point in daily During its inaugural season in 1993, Arizona surpassed the initial seating Wildcat athletics is the John W. Hillenbrand Meeting Center, named in capacity and averaged 734 fans per game in 12 home dates. In 1994, the memory of Bill=s late father. That facility gives the athletics department a main Wildcats led the nation in attendance with 1,316 fans per game. In 1995 UA auditorium, a half-dozen classrooms and meeting rooms, and office space for led the nation with an average of 1,486. A record 2,890 watched the Cats play the athletics department’s Commitment to Athletes’ Total Success (CATS) UCLA in March 1996 and that matchup also has drawn the Cats’ other three program. top crowds. Arizona’s annual attendance is quite close to the stadium’s One thing for certain - the Arizona softball team finds its home field a permanent seating capacity, listed at 2,500. productive venue. The Cats have recorded a 241-17 record in Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium since its inaugural season in 1993. 30 Top Crowds in Hillenbrand The NCAA has found the facility to be a quality site for post-season play 1. 3,161 (4-7-2002, UCLA) as well, with The University of Arizona playing host to NCAA Regionals in six 2 3,004 (5-11-2001, UCLA) of the stadium’s seven years of existence. 3 2,987 (4-30-2002, Arizona State) Aside from the .938 home winning percentage, Arizona and visiting 4. 2,890 (3-29-96, UCLA) 5. 2,773 (4-5-2002, Washington) teams alike enjoy the facility for for an all-important reason: Hillenbrand 6. 2,751 (3-4-2001, Oklahoma) Stadium easily boasts one of the best playing surfaces in collegiate softball. 7. 2,739 (5-4-2002, Stanford) And Arizona fans enjoy Arizona softball no matter which opponent 8. 2,746 (5-7-99, UCLA) shows up -- 13 different teams have been witness to the 30 largest crowds in 9. 2,737 (3-17-95, UCLA) 10. 2,686 (4-18-97, UCLA) Hillenbrand Stadium. It is a facility the Wildcats find likeable -- in 1997 for 11. 2,623 (4-13-2001, Arizona State) the first time, UA was undefeated at home with a 30-0 record. In 1998 the 12. 2,606 (4-6-2002, UCLA Cats took a home winning streak to an NCAA-record 45 games. In 1999 UA 13. 2,577 (5-5-2002, Stanford) was 33-5 at home in 21 playing dates and attracted the second-largest crowd in 14. 2,458 (4-22-2001, California) Hillenbrand history. In 2000 the Cats were 29-3 at home playing 26 dates. 15. 2,431 (5-20-2001, Saint Peter’s-NCAA) 16. 2,379 (4-20-2001, Stanford) The Cats had the fifth largest crowd in Hillenbrand history . 17. 2,329 (4-5-00, Washington) Hillenbrand Stadium and its success in helping bring Division I collegiate 18. 2,316 (5-19-95, Ohio-NCAA) softball into increased national focuses made it a national model in the early 19. 2,312 (5-18-2001, Texas Tech-NCAA) 1990s for dynamic softball programs. As on-campus college softball facilities 20. 2,306 (4-14-2001, Arizona State) 21. 2,286 (5-19-2001, Cal State Fullerton-NCAA) go, it had elite status for several years until it engendered considerable copying 22. 2,275 (4-29-95, Washington) and today major universities around the country are putting their teams in 23. 2,261 (5-3-2002, California) facilities with style and substance. 24. 2,245 (5-2-97, Oregon) But Hillenbrand maintains the one special feature, which makes it second 25. 2,238 (4-10-98, Arizona State) 26. 2,237 (3-31-96, Washington) to none — the infield, outfield and foul territories provide one of the best 27. 2,211 (4-27-2002, Oregon State) playing surfaces in the country. Tucson’s climate and round-the-year mainte- 28. 2,171 (4-28-2002, Oregon State) nance keep the facility in game-ready condition more than 300 days per year. 29. 2,136 (2-24-2002, Cal State Northridge) The University of Arizona softball program moved into the facility seven 30. 2,129 (5-15-99, Arizona State) Stadium Debut - 1,272 crowd, Feb.13, 1993, vs. Texas-San Antonio
ARIZONA SOFTBALL 2003 - 46 The University of Arizona
Born on 40 acres of land donated by a saloon-keeper and two UA’s top-notch programs develop top-name graduates who gamblers, and funded by a $25,000 consolation prize in Tucson’s have continued on to success in their respective fields. The UA competition for the Territorial capital, the University of Arizona rose boasts a laundry list of graduates who have significantly impacted from the dusty floor of the desert in true Wild West fashion. Nobody society. From the late U.S. Congressman Morris K. Udall to Joan wanted it, and fewer believed it would last. Fortunately, they were Ganz Cooney, founder of the Children’s Television Workshop, to wrong, and the bet laid down by E.B. Gifford, Ben C. Parker and W.S. Emmy Award winning actor/comedian Garry Shandling, UA “Billy” Read on Nov. 27, 1886, has paid off into one of the finest graduates have made their mark on the world. Other notable ex- research institutions in the world. Wildcats include Native American artist Fritz Scholder, the late When the first 32 students hitched their cow ponies to posts astronaut Richard Scobee, Arizona Supreme Court Justice Stanley near the only building on campus in 1891, they began a tradition that G. Feldman and August Busch III, the CEO of Anheuser-Busch, Inc. has now entered its third century. The hitching posts may be gone, but The UA also plays host to the world, with students represent- “Old Main” remains as witness to the University’s growth into a 355- ing all 50 states and 130 countries. Nearly a quarter of the student acre Research I institution with 185 buildings, more than 35,000 body consists of under-represented racial and ethnic groups, and the students, and a faculty and campus is located in staff of 12,000. The UA is one of the most the largest employer in Pima diverse locations in County and the fourth- the country, with the largest in Arizona with a influence of Native payroll of half a billion American and dollars. Mexican cultures It’s hard to believe evident throughout that in the early days there the Tucson were more students in the community. preparatory department The Univer- finishing the equivalent of sity of Arizona high school than there were enters its third University students. The century of service number of University with a continued graduates never reached commitment to more than 10 per year until a providing support to decade of rapid expansion its undergraduate beginning in 1910, which population. Recently saw the Territory become a completed and state and the small outpost current construction in the Sonoran Desert grow into a true educational institution. projects are testaments to the fact that the UA is putting its money Today, the University of Arizona is one of the top 20 research where its mouth is. The Integrated Learning Center, located universities in the nation and has played a part in groundbreaking underneath the grass Mall in the middle of campus, provides a home projects ranging from the exploration of Mars to the development of base for freshmen, with classrooms and offices for easier access to new cancer treatments. UA’s observational, theoretical and space faculty and staff. In addition, the new Student Union, scheduled for astronomy programs are ranked No. 1 in the country by the National completion this year, will contain the ambience of the Southwest Science Foundation (NSF) and recent U.S. News and World Report with shaded terraces and open-air walkways, while providing services rankings placed 17 of the school’s graduate programs among the top 20 such as the bookstore and restaurants that serve the UA community. in the nation. In addition, the Nobel Prize, three Pulitzer Prizes and a A new SALT (Strategic Alternative Learning Techniques) Center is National Medal of Science have been bestowed upon Arizona under construction to enhance aid to students with learning educators. disabilities, and the Eddie Lynch Athletics Pavilion, which includes Not to be forgotten, the University’s undergraduate programs a strength training center, medical services center, and the Jim Click continue to flourish. The NSF considers Arizona to be one of the 10 Hall of Champions - a museum to showcase Arizona Athletics universities that best integrates teaching and research for undergradu- Heritage and Tradition. ates. The NASA-funded space grant program pays undergraduates to This commitment to excellence ensures that the University work in laboratories alongside faculty, and the Undergraduate Biology of Arizona will continue to grow from its auspicious beginnings as a Research Program includes 43 departments, involves 200 faculty single-building outpost in the desert into a world-renowned center sponsors and funds more than 100 undergraduate researchers each for knowledge and research well into the next century. summer.
ARIZONA SOFTBALL 2003 - 47 Arizona Athletics Administration
Jim Livengood - Director of Athletics The University of Arizona’s athletic leadership (1997-98) as well as his continued diligent work to place the Arizona is in capable hands as the department embarks on its Athletics program in a leadership role in gender issues. 105th year and pursues success in 2002-03. Jim On the national scene, Livengood served as president of the National Livengood became UA’s eighth athletics director in Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) in 1998-99 January 1994. He has provided leadership that has and continues to serve as a member of the NACDA Executive Commit- brought an already successful program to new heights tee, the NACDA Finance-Management Committee, the NACDA competitively and administratively, in addition to Strategic and Long Range Planning Committee, and the NACDA making considerable facility improvements, including Preseason Football Games Committee. He was president of the Division construction of the Eddie Lynch Athletics Pavilion. During his tenure, I-A Athletics Directors Association in 1998-99 and remains actively the UA has maintained its ranking among the best programs in the involved with that association. Livengood’s hard work was recognized in nation, finishing among the top 10 schools in the Sears Directors’ Cup the spring of 1999 when he was named the National Association of standings each of the last nine years. This record reflects success through- Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA)/Continental Airlines Division out Arizona’s broad-based program, highlighted by: participation in the I-A Athletic Director of the Year. 1994 and 2001 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Final Four; becoming Born in Quincy, Wash., Livengood earned honorable mention all- 1997 NCAA Men’s National Basketball Champions; winning the 1994, state honors in basketball at Quincy High School. He attended Washing- 1996 and 1997 and 2001 NCAA Division I National Softball Champi- ton State, Everett (Wash.) Community College and Brigham Young onships, along with the 1996 and 2000 NCAA women’s golf titles. University, earning a bachelor’s degree in physical education from BYU in He is active on the national and regional level. Livengood became 1968. He completed his fifth-year education requirement for teaching chair of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee in July 2002 certification at Central Washington in 1972. after serving on the committee since 1999. He is a member of the NCAA Washington State hired Livengood as its Cage Camp director in Fellows (Pilot) Program to mentor new athletic directors and served on 1980-81 and promoted him to assistant athletics director in charge of the NCAA Peer Review team from 1994-99. This year, Livengood is Cage Camp and high school relations in 1981-82. He was associate Vice President of the Pac-10 Conference, chairs the Pac-10 Athletic athletics director responsible for development and public relations in Directors Revenue Sharing Committee, is a member of the Rose Bowl 1982-85. Livengood became director of athletics at Southern Illinois Management Committee, serves on the Pac-10 Men’s Basketball University in 1985-87, where he oversaw a 20-sport Saluki program in Tournament Subcommittee, and is the Pac-10 AD’s Liaison to Men’s the Missouri Valley Conference and the Gateway Conference. He served Basketball Coaches. In 2001-2002, he chaired both the Pac-10 Budget & as President of the Gateway Conference in 1986-87. Washington State Finance Committee and the Pac-10 Athletic Directors Committee TV rehired him as athletics director on September 1, 1987. Subcommittee, and also served on the Pac-10 Men’s Basketball Tourna- Livengood and his wife, Linda, have two grown children. Both ment Sub-Committee. graduated from The University of Arizona. Michelle graduated from the He is among national leaders in gender equity issues, continuing College of Law in May 2000, and Jeremy graduated in December 1999. these efforts through his service to the Pac-10 Gender Equity Committee
Kathleen “Rocky” LaRose - Senior Woman Administrator Kathleen “Rocky” LaRose begins her 24th year appointed Management Council liaison to the NCAA Student-Athlete at the University of Arizona, her ninth year as Senior Advisory Board. She also has chaired various Pac-10 committees. Associate Director of Athletics and her 14th year as In 1990, LaRose developed the Commitment for Athletes’ Total the Senior Woman Administrator. Currently, she Success (C.A.T.S.), an educational approach used by student-athlete oversees the operations of all 19 sports at the UA, services to better the student-athlete academically, athletically, and being the first woman in her capacity to have day-to- personally. day operational responsibilities over Division I-A Raised in Phoenix, Ariz., LaRose received both her Bachelor of football and men’s basketball programs. Science and Master’s degrees from The University of Arizona. While in As the Senior Associate Athletics Director, attendance, she competed on the UA softball team as a starting infielder LaRose also oversees the compliance unit, heritage and the Hall of and clean-up hitter, leading the Cats to their first-ever conference Champions, public relations and special events, media relations and championship title in 1979. She competed in the 1979 World Cup C.A.T.S. student-athlete services. She also chairs the department’s Equity Softball championship as a member of the USA National Championship and Title IX committees; and she directs the NCAA certification process. team. She also was a member of the Arete Society (UA’s Athletics LaRose joined the Arizona staff in 1979 as the UA softball coach and Honorary) and was the 1978 UA Homecoming Queen. worked from 1980 until 1989 in various capacities including coordinator of athletic special events and special projects, and as assistant athletics director for fund development. LaRose is a past Vice President of the Pac-10 Conference and is a current member of the Pac-10 Council, which governs and regulates all Pac-10 policies. On the national level, she was a member of the NCAA Management Council (the legislative body of the NCAA) as the Pac-10 representative for four years and was
ARIZONA SOFTBALL 2003 - 48