Members of the Illinois softball team are writing a blog, which will be published throughout the 2015-16 school year. Follow all the action of Coach Perry's inaugural UI squad right here at FIGHTINGILLINI.com.
How's it going softball fans!
I cannot believe that it is November. I feel like it was just yesterday that were starting team practices and getting in the swing of things. My name is Katie Gallagher and I am an outfielder from Chicago, Ill. I am a sophomore and was just recently accepted into the School of Advertising!
I hope that everyone's year is going well and for those of you in school/playing softball keep up the hard work, because I know we are working hard here both on and off the field. Being in off-season, our practice time is cut significantly and many would think that it would be hard to keep up with what we gained in-season, but that is definitely not the case. The second we step on the field we know our time is limited, so we give it our all. Seeing everyone coming off the field covered in dirt, grass, and a mixture of the two just reinforces our team mentality of pushing each other to reach our potential both as individuals and as a team. Being a school in the Midwest, we usually are struggling with weather at this point, but that is definitely not the case. In fact, this upcoming week it is going to be sunny and in the 70's, which makes playing softball that much better. I am so excited to get back out on the field tomorrow and keep working so that we are playing in June.
"Why Illinois?" is a question that I am asked a lot when discussing college with family and friends and I did not come to my decision as easily as others. I am a walk-on to the team and when I was in the deciding process I applied to thirteen schools not having a single clue on where I would be going. Applying to most schools in the Midwest, I went and visited about half of them and did not find any special draw to any of them. I then came and visited here and got to experience the community that is here. I loved the school, the environment, the location and the standard of academics. Along with this, I knew that going to Illinois would mean I would be given the opportunity to play softball and that was one of my strongest draws here. I ended up choosing Illinois with only one week left until the deadline and I could not have made a better decision. The friends I have made on this team are friends that I will never lose and the values and work ethic that comes along with this team is another aspect I truly value. I would do anything for these girls on the team.
Finally, I could not be happier with the new coaching staff and all of the new things they are bringing to the program. I can truly feel myself getting better every day and it has only been about two and a half months. With the way we are moving now we are going to be more then ready when season starts to carry ourselves all the way to June. Can't wait to see you all there!
ILL
