Batter Up: Michigan Softball Plays for Spot in College World Series
Coach Hutchins talks game day, career strategy that makes U of M softball program so successful.
Have you heard of Coach “Hutch”, the winningest coach in University of Michigan history?
Detroit Today Host Sandra Svoboda finds out some secrets to the success of legendary University of Michigan Softball Coach Carol Hutchins. Her team hosts the University of Georgia in the Super Regionals at 9 p.m. Thursday, and 6 p.m.and 9 p.m. (if necessary) Friday in the best-of-three series at Alumni Field. The regional victor heads to the NCAA World Series with seven other teams from around the country.
“Coach Hutch” shares her expectations for the Super Regionals, her observations of how female athletics have changed during her 32 years at Michigan and explains what makes her team so much more successful than most other college softball programs. Here are some highlights:.
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The Super Regional showdown between the Wolverines and Georgia Bulldogs. With only 16 teams in the nation vying for eight spots in the NCAA’s Softball World Series, Hutchins is expecting a “dog fight” against Georgia, a program that she says is both top-notch, aggressive, and known for its pitching.
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The evolution of women’s sports. Hutchins has seen the culture of women’s athletics “go from zero to 60.” When she started coaching, every day was a fight for the same facilities, resources and scholarship opportunities as men. Today, female student athletes at the university level have it much better, with support services and resources fully integrated between the genders.
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What makes the University of Michigan softball tick. Hutchins expects her players to commit themselves to being No. 1 both on and off the field. They stand out not only for their 60 mph underhand pitches—comparable to that of a 90-mile fastball in baseball—but also for the value that they place on academic degrees and future career goals.
Hear the full conversation by clicking the audio link above.
