“Play Ball!”  The traditional cry of the umpire at the beginning of the game brought back many memories for over 75 returning Softball Team alumni and their families during the UO Softball Team Reunion, which was held April 4-6, 2008. 

The reunion included three opportunities to see this year’s team in action against Arizona State on Friday and against defending National Champs Arizona on Saturday and Sunday.  The weekend was capped by a victory on Sunday in which the Ducks beat the Wildcats 3-2.

Becky Sisley, who coached the team from 1965-79 was instrumental in coordinating the reunion, which included a tour of the Casanova Center, a chance to eat in an on campus student dining facility and the highlight of the weekend--a reunion banquet held at the Casanova Center.  Over 140 alumni, family, parents and current players spent an evening reminiscing about past victories and losses, old and new facilities and how far both softball and women’s sports had come over the last 30 years.

Distinguished alumni returning for the weekend included eight members of the 1976 team, which was the first to play at a national championship game and four players inducted into the University’s Hall of Fame. Lori Sweet Gerig, a pitcher from Lebanon, OR who still holds both season and career ERA records  (Season 1979 – ERA 0.23, and career 1979 and 1980 – ERA 0.49) was in attendance.  In addition, All-Americans Katie Wiese (1988 and 1989 – Pitcher), Kim Manning Strahm (1989 – Utility, DP) and Julie Cavanaugh (1990 and 1991 – First Base) participated in the weekend’s festivities.