It’s Alums That Make Softball Go ‘Round
Alums are an integral aspect of any college. They often represent the continuity of the school and the lasting impact experiences on campus have on the people who have attended. While their roles are often seen in a professional sense, sharing their wealth and experiences, they can sometimes get a chance to have fun, too!
On the indecisively bright and gloomy morning of Feb 24, softball held an Alumnae game to celebrate the history of softball at Whittier College and another vital project that finally came to fruition this year…a brand new locker room! For many sports, the locker room is a safe space to prepare for the game and an essential factor in building camaraderie and friendships.
Perhaps the most fulfilling memories people have when they leave a sport are recalling doing each other’s hair and making sure their ribbons were tied perfectly, all while listening to music and building community. The locker room serves a higher purpose than holding uniforms but holds energy that can translate onto a field. This sort of sentiment is why Coach Senyo placed such great emphasis on the project and worked hard to get help from anyone who would offer it.
Among the various donors were Bill and Jan Woods, after whom the locker room is named. Jan Woods contributed enormously to the efforts and was honored with naming the locker room, along with her late husband, Bill Woods. Athletic Director Rock Carter, President Dillon, and Head Coach Trisha Senyo addressed a crowd of old and New Poets at a ribbon-cutting ceremony. President Dillon mentioned her relationship to the project, as she played softball at Whittier College fifty years ago. They spoke of the importance of supporting women’s sports, the hard work and dedication to providing this space, and all the people who contributed. Coach Senyo specifically thanked Mike McBride, Warren Hanson, and Bob Giomi, pioneers of the softball program many years ago. They also used their influence on campus to bring the locker room project to the school’s attention. Among the many donors were alums who knew the importance of having this communal place and relished the opportunity to make their mark on the school.
The actual game followed the festivities, and about thirty-five former Poets, including Assistant Coach Megan Heal, participated. The game comprised a few big swings, a couple of returning pitchers who still threw heat, such as Jamie Garvey, the single-season strikeout record holder, and lots of laughs. For many, the joy of playing without the pressure was the most appealing aspect of participating in the game. Alexis Hernandez, who graduated in 2020, gushed, “It’s super fun coming back, just getting together with my old teammates again, feeling like we’re still young even though everything hurts when we play. We had a blast when we were here, and of course, [we came] for Coach Mike.” One of her teammates, Ashley Sanchez, who graduated in 2022, said, “I chose to come back to be with all my teammates, and it’s just a fun environment to be here and play in Alumnae games.”
The day was a reminder that softball is a game meant to be fun and celebrated with good friends. Many Alumnae came with their kids and cherished seeing women they had not seen in a long time. Throughout the morning, you could hear “Oh my gosh, you’re here!” in various instances, and a big hug immediately followed. There was a home run derby, where retired athletes got to crank out their remaining power for a couple of swings. For the most part, the commentators and crowd were most amused watching the women swing hard for a pop-up in the infield. From there, various alumni stayed to share their experiences and possible job opportunities before heading to a reception at the Poet Garden in Uptown.
Many of the Alumnae got to experience being a Poet again for the day. They celebrated vital milestones for women’s sports, such as the locker room. The day displayed the power of community and how the shared love of a sport can bring people together. It was great to see how what we do as a team matters to those who have graduated before us and how we can leave a lasting impact on the program, too!
Photo Courtesy of ACTION WEST PHOTOGRAPHY
