Arizona Softball: Memories for a Lifetime

I have been traveling A LOT lately.
In the past 3 weeks I was in Ohio,
Louisiana, Coronado, CA and Tucson.

My husband is amazing- he is keeping
down the Amico Fort while I'm gone!
All of my trips usually are work related,
but not this last trip to Tucson. It
was Homecoming weekend at the U of A
and also our Alumni Softball Game.
This year we had 62 Alum return for
the game. I am so blessed! I made
lifelong friends from Arizona and
through softball, it's like they
are all extended family. I had the
best weekend ever. We laughed, told
so many stories and caught up with
people we haven't seen in 15 years!
I'll let the pictures do the talking:

My roomie for 5 years in college, Jenny,
flew into Phoenix (from Kentucky)before
I did, so she picked me up at the airport.
We pretty much talked for 48 hours straight :).

First stop, Arizona Mills to visit with
Jody (my catcher my freshman year). She wasn't
going to Tucson so we wanted to see her.

Next stop, Tucson! Our Alumni Game:


Jennie signing autographs

Richard Jefferson (San Antonio Spurs) was inducted
into the Arizona Hall of Fame and was in town.


Athletes In Action: Jon and "Tree" Demeter
and their cute family! Tree pitched at U of A.

Lots of former softball players! Everyone was
in such great shape still!

The younger girls :)

With the best Coach ever! Love Him!

Jaylen: Coach Candrea's grandson (most
adorable little boy ever!!!)


Wall of Fame: Featuring NCAA Woman
of the Year for Softball (including
Jennie Finch, Susie Parra and Nancy
Evans)

Jenny Dalton-Hill by her picture

Julie Reitan (I still talk about her
all the time when I speak!)

Proud of my National Championship Teams!



Dinner after our game


25 years of Amazing Softball!!!

Coach talking: he could go on all night :)

Sat morning:
Women's Legacy Breakfast (125 years!)

Current athletes did a fashion show in all the
old uniforms for the different sports. Then
they came out on stage with all the National
Championship Trophies!



Michelle (Churnock) Gonzalez brought her
daughter, Chloe

Coach Candrea and his son, Mikel

Chrissy (Ahmann-Leighton): 1992 Olympian in
Swimming: 2 Gold Medals and 1 Silver
(was so happy she remembered me :) )
&
Meg Ritchie: Strength Coach when I started
and also an Olympian for Scotland
&
Jenny (roomie! and one of the best power
hitters ever in our sport!)

Jenny and Me with Rocky LaRose (the woman
who gets it all done in U of A athletics)
Rocky also played softball :)



Tailgate Party: food and fun

With Katie and Chrissy (the two freshman I
hung out with my Senior Season!) Love these
girls- they haven't changed a bit.



The football game!

With Maia (track) and Felicity (softball
and baseketball)


All Women Letterwinners were announced on the
field at halftime. Here with the softball
girls and our awesome strength coach, Carla
Garrett (also an Olympian!)

On our way back to the Phoenix Aiport,
Jenny and I stopped by Coach Candrea's
house in Casa Grande and visited with
his kids, Mikel and Michelle, and also
passed along hugs to his wonderful
mom!!


I will cherish these times with old
friends. I was excited to fly home
and be back with my family. Now
I'm back to life as a mom: homeschooling,
cleaning, cooking, kids fighting,
running kids around, etc. So thankful
for little breaks, but wouldn't
change my life for anything! I
am beyond blessed!