Lees-McRae Softball Awarded Prestigious Conference Carolinas All-Sportsmanship Award
GREENVILLE, S.C. – Lees-McRae softball has been awarded the prestigious Conference Carolinas All-Sportsmanship Award.
Lees-McRae softball is receiving the award for going above and beyond to help Francis Marion softball prepare for a doubleheader between the two on Friday, March 18 in Florence, South Carolina.
The doubleheader between the two was delayed due to rain and Lees-McRae immediately stepped up to help pull the tarp. The immediate show of sportsmanship was instantly recognized by Francis Marion. The sportsmanship continued during the rain delay that included both teams playing tic-tac-toe and having a dance off/sing off.
The part that truly stood out to Francis Marion head softball coach/SWA Stacey Vallee and her team came next when the rain stopped finally. With the tarp pulled, the field was still wet underneath, meaning the entire field had to be hand ranked instead. The Lees-McRae coaching staff stepped up to help the process so that both teams did not have to ask their student-athletes to help out so they could get warmed up for the doubleheader.
“Lees-McRae showing support, assistance and overall good sportsmanship at the time helped all the student-athletes get back onto the field of play, but hopefully the student-athletes saw much more than that,” Vallee said. “They saw teams coming together and coaches coming together to ensure a safe playing environment so we could continue to do what we love to do in coach and play softball. These small acts will hopefully live in their minds forever and allow them to continue to do these small acts to help others in a ‘time of need.’”
Lees-McRae head coach Kendall Fuller believes this is an award that can be shared by both programs.
“Our team and the coaching staff were simply doing the right thing on that rainy night in Florence,” Fuller said. “The credit can be given to both programs, as there was no hesitation from either side to take the necessary steps for us to be able to play. I’m proud of our team for taking action, and this award is a testament to who we are as a program and the incredible young women we have competing for Bobcat Softball.”
Lees-McRae Vice President for Athletics and Club Sports Craig McPhail is excited that the Bobcat softball program is being honored for this, but notes it is just another example of the belief of true sportsmanship in their athletics department and by all in Conference Carolinas.
“Our athletic department prides itself on helping others,” McPhail said. “It is evident in our game day administration, campus and community presence. What our softball team did to help Francis Marion get their field ready for the game is something we did for the love of the game and those we compete against. I am proud of Coach Fuller and her staff, but also the incredible willingness of our young women to accept the role of being servant leaders.”
The Conference Carolinas All-Sportsmanship Award is an award to recognize sportsmanship that can be presented on an annual basis to an individual or a team.
The award mirrors the NCAA's annual sportsmanship award and is administered through the Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) Committee in Conference Carolinas.