Bridget Baxter: coach of success

by Georgiana Rushworth staff writer

They are ranked sixth in the nation. They are first in their conference. They are fourth academically in the country. Their overall record is 37-3 and 21-1 in the PAC. Who could this be? It's the women's softball team lead by head coach, Bridget Baxter.

Baxter graduated from Villanova University in 1997. She just completed her masters of education in sports administration at Temple University. She will be graduating from Temple University in May.

Last year was a huge turning point for Cabrini's student development department when they hired all new staff. Baxter became part of the new staff when she was hired as Cabrini's new Coordinator of Student Activities in 1999. She is to oversee all activities planned by the Campus Activity Programming board.

Colin McGinley is one of the chairs of CAP board and works closely with Baxter. McGinley said, "It was really rough in the beginning of last year because we had a brand new staff with different ideas, but we worked together and learned a lot from each other. Bridget has worked unbelievably hard as the Coordinator of Student Activities and as the head softball coach."

said. "There is never an I. It's always we. The team works hard and supports each other tremendously."

The women have also worked hard by engaging in off-season training, spending more time in the weight room then in previous seasons, which being selected in this preseason to win again. Such a history and expectations could prove to be lethal for a team with a winning streak, placing extreme pressure to again come out on top. However, the team is not focusing on just winning. has produced a stronger, faster and impervious team.

"We don't put pressure on ourselves to win," first baseman Rita Horning said. "We just play and focus on having a good time."

Despite hard work, a team cannot exercise its talent without a decent coach, which is exactly what the softball team has. Baxter, who has coached at Cabrini for the past four seasons, was named Coach of the Year in 1998 and 2000.

Last season confirmed the team's talent, beating the expected PAC winners, Misericordia College, and

Over spring break, the team traveled to the Leadoff Classic in LaGrange, Ga. Only the top 25 teams were invited to this event. It was in Georgia that the women's team had their first loss of the season, initially beating and then losing to the defending national champions, St. Mary's University, from Minnesota. Since the women's team is seated first in the PAC, they have the honor of deciding where to play. Usually the leading team.hosts the game, and since the women don't have a field to call their own, they will have to borrow a field from another university. PAC Championships are scheduled for April 28-29.

CAP board runs many events for the students such as, Hat and Tie, Spring Fling, Siblings Weekend, formals, and movie nights. Baxter is also in charge of booking bands, hypnotists, and comedians, running the summer orientation program and the student/leader conference. If this wasn't enough she was also coach of the year in 1998 and 2000. Baxter became the head softball coach in 1997 and is now in her fourth season. Baxter has made many accomplishments and her softball team is proof. Since Baxter has become the head coach the softball tea!l\ has played in the PAC every year. "Bridget puts a lot of time into our team and it shows with our ranking as sixth in the country. She interacts well with the team and is able to understands us better because we are so close in age," third basemen Lisa Jackson said.

"She takes the initiative and will do whatever it takes to get us into tournaments. She hired Karen Pelky as her assistant coach last year who has benefited the team. Bridget knows what it takes to win and have fun at the same time," pitcher Megan Johnston said.

In her four years of coaching she has surpassed her 100 win defeating Marywood College. "We are so proud of her accomplishments. She is a great coach and Student Coordinator. She began coaching a no-name team and now we are sixth in the nation. She is there when you need her," said Erin Brooks, center fielder, and Rita Horning, first basemen. ..,__

The women's softball team will be hosting the PAC April 28 and 29. Without a home field the women will be playing at Villanova University or Eastern College.