Excitement And Anticipation Surrounds Lady Tigers Softball Beginning

There is something new on campus. Something that has been much anticipated, and with much excitement. Finally, after what seems like forever, Lady Tiger Softball has arrived.

👇 Uni’s are here‼️ pic.twitter.com/A3iLszv77I

— Clemson Softball 🥎 (@clemsonsoftball) January 22, 2020

A little over two years ago, it was announced that there was to be a new sports program created. To those of us casual observers, it seems like yesterday, but to those involved it must have seemed like an eternity. In the span of two years, this program was built literally from the ground up.

First was the approval and commitment of the University Board of Trustees. Next step was to hire a coach, John Rittman. Coach Rittman is a longtime head coach that came to Clemson from the University of Kansas where he served as associate head coach from 2015-2017. He was the longtime head coach at Stanford University for ten years prior to his time at Kansas. He has also coached the United States National Team on two different occasions.

The most important part of this entire process however, might have been recruiting a team. The selling of a dream has always been a difficult proposition. Without any history, experience or even a home, selling this program required vision and belief.. The 17 talented young women that chose to be part of this team are in a word, special.

Here is the roster of impressive young women from throughout the south that makes up this team. Carlee Shannon OF, Ansley Gilstrap IF/UT, Emma Whitfield P, Cammy Pereira IF/OF, Abi Stuart OF, Madison May IF, Alia Logoleo OF, Bailey Taylor IF, JoJo Hyatt C//IF, Arielle Oda IF//OF, Marissa Guimbarda IF/P, MK Bonamy IF, Logan Caymol P, Jordan Johnson OF, Kyah Keller IF, Valarie Cagle P//UT and Hannah Goodwin IF. While they may not be  household names yet in the Clemson community, these young women will always be remembered as “The First.”

In February 2019, ground broke on what would be the final piece of the dream, the new home of Lady Tigers Softball. From the green grass and soil of Jervey Meadows, it takes it’s place among other Tigers’ sports facilities. This 6000 square foot, $13M dollar state of the art complex stands complete and waiting.

The features of this impressive facility include an indoor player development facility, 1000 permanent grandstand seats as well as berm seating, and modern fan friendly facilities such as concessions and restrooms. It houses a beautiful locker room, a player lounge, a weight room, as well as coaches and administrative offices. A press box that houses three broadcast booths and a large video board complete the features.

The belief in a dream, the vision, and resources to build that dream, and finally those adventuresome student athletes that will bring it all to life are in place and waiting. Yes, it is an exciting time to be a Clemson Tiger and in 17 days, there will be yet one more reason to yell “Go Tigers!” It’s Lady Tiger Softball time!