Dec. 4, 2014
Welcome to The Dugout. Iowa Softball’s new blog will reach out to fans and provide them the opportunity to connect with the student-athletes, coaches and staff who work hard every day to make the Hawkeye softball program a success. The Dugout aims to deliver a unique insight to the lives of Iowa Softball student-athletes. We will take you on our trips and provide first-person stories and interviews over the course of the season. We invite you watch as we work our way toward winning a Big Ten Championship.
Video by Erin Erickson
Junior, Outfielder
UI Softball Family Thanksgiving Album
Written by Haley Hansel
Junior, Outfielder
IOWA CITY, Iowa — As Thanksgiving signals the beginning of the holiday season the University of Iowa softball team has taken the time to come together and celebrate as a makeshift family.
Sticking with tradition, 19 student-athletes along with coaches, trainers and managers organized the second annual potluck Thanksgiving the weekend before the Hawkeyes headed home for break.
“I really love this tradition that we started last year to have a team run Thanksgiving,” senior Megan Blank said. “This team is a family, so it’s definitely special to be able to celebrate with each other.”
Along with a dinner consistent of turkey, mashed potatoes and plenty of dessert, the evening most notably consisted of thankfulness for the family Iowa softball has become.
“I think the tradition that we’ve started is something really meaningful,” junior Whitney Repole said. “That speaks a lot to how much like a family we really are.”
“I’m thankful for the opportunity to be a Hawkeye and to have such an amazing group of girls to spend my senior year with,” Blank said. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Around the table players made specific mention of how fortunate they felt to have a family atmosphere at the UI while they are away from home.
“Thanksgiving was so much fun. Getting the opportunity to spend time with all the individuals I’m thankful for was very special,” sophomore Kara Misel said. “I’m thankful I get to play with and know these amazing teammates and call them family.”
