Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame Induction 2017 - - 2002 Lansing Community College Softball Team

THE GREATER LANSING AREA SPORTS HALL OF FAME

INDUCTION CEREMONY

2017

2002 Lansing Community College Softball Team

The 2002 Lansing Community College Softball team, which was coached by Hall of Fame Director Bob Every had an excellent season with 49 wins and 7 losses.  They capped this successful season by winning the National Championship!

Bob Every chose to do the induction speech for this team.  His pride in their achievement showed through the entire presentation as he had to stop several times to gather himself.  

The softball team had come really close to the championship the previous two years.  In 2001, they were not defeated until the final game, which they lost and took second place in the country.  

Bob saluted Lansing Community College and its administration for their ongoing commitment to athletic excellence.  He had each of the players introduce herself and went on with the presentation.

He told a great story about a meeting with Muhammad Ali, the legendary championship boxer.  Muhammad Ali's words entertained, inspired and energized his team.  

The players did not have an easy road to the finals as they lost one game and had to be perfect or face elimination the rest of the way.  One day they had to play three games including one which went 14 innings.  Bob highlighted a great catch by Amanda Hickson in center field as saving the game in the semifinals.

In the final game, it was close at the beginning, but Jennifer Olds hit a booming home run that (in Bob Every's words) may still be traveling!  This triggered an eight run inning and the team went on to a victory as well as the national championship.

Bob said that each player contributed to the team and was proud of how the players fought even when the odds seemed to be against them.