Friday, February 24, 2017

Player Coach Michelle Gascoigne

Softball pitcher Michelle Gascoigne won an NCAA softball championship with Oklahoma.  She was drafted by the Chicago Bandits and has won two National Pro Fastpitch titles with them.In addition to the NCAA title, she left Oklahoma with a degree in education.  She is combining that degree with her playing experience as she embarks on a career in coaching.  Currently, she is on Kate Drohan's staff at Northwestern University.  Previously, she was on the staff at her alma mater Oklahoma for 2014-15.  Despite her youth, I have seen Michelle "coaching" her Bandits teammates on occasion.  She is very knowledgeable and has a passion for the game.
She is also one of the pitchers who "advised" me on my one at bat in 2015.  I believe her exact words were a negative head shake.  She proved to be wise with that reaction.
I will be covering the Bandits again this season.  I will also be onb the beat with the NU Wildcats.  I have interviewed Michelle as a player and I am looking forward to picking her brain as a coach.
One of the highlights of last year was watching her pitch in Akron.  As of this writing, I do not know if she will still be playing in the NPF.  I hope she is.  I always anjoy watching her pitch.  She is a talented battler out there.  It has been a real pleasure covering her and knowing her.
Michelle Gascoigne and me in Rosemont, IL-July 2015.

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