INDIANAPOLIS --- The NCAA has named 10 former student-athletes and one coach to its NCAA Division I Softball 25th Anniversary Team for their outstanding achievements while participating in NCAA competition. The NCAA is celebrating the 25th anniversary of women’s championships in several sports during the 2005-06 season.
In 1981, the NCAA began sponsoring women’s championships, which opened the door to increased athletic and academic opportunities for female athletes. Today, the NCAA sponsors 44 women’s championships in 20 sports, providing more than 150,000 women with an opportunity to compete for national titles each year.
The Division I Softball 25th Anniversary Team is as follows:
Shawn Andaya, Texas A&M University, Pitcher
NCAA All-Tournament (1984, 86, 87)
NCAA Champion (1987)
NCAA Runner-Up (1984, 86)
National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All American First-Team (1987)
Laura Berg, Fresno State, Outfield
NCAA All-Tournament (1998)
NCAA Champion (1998)
NFCA All-American First-Team (1995, 97, 98)
Leah Braatz, University of Arizona, Catcher
NCAA All-Tournament (1994, 95, 98)
NCAA Champion (1994, 97)
NCAA Runner-Up (1995, 98)
NFCA All-American First-Team (1994, 95, 97, 98)
Debbie Doom, UCLA, Pitcher
NCAA All-Tournament (1982, 84, 85)
NCAA Champion (1982, 84, 85)
NFCA All-American First-Team (1984)
Lisa Fernandez, UCLA, Third Base and Pitcher
NCAA All Tournament (1990, 91, 92, 93)
NCAA Champion (1990, 92)
NCAA Runner Up (1991, 93)
NFCA All American 1st Team (1990, 91, 92, 93)
Honda Broderick Cup Winner (1993)
Jennie Finch, University of Arizona, Pitcher
NCAA All-Tournament (2001, 02)
NCAA Most Outstanding Player (2001)
NCAA Champion (2001)
NCAA Runner-Up (2002)
NFCA All American First-Team (2000, 01, 02)
Lisa Longaker, UCLA, Pitcher
NCAA All-Tournament (1987, 88, 90)
NCAA Champion (1988, 89, 90)
NCAA Runner-Up (1987)
NFCA All American First-Team (1987, 88, 90)
Leah O’Brien, University of Arizona, Outfield
NCAA All-Tournament (1994, 95, 97)
NCAA Champion (1994, 96, 97)
NCAA Runner-Up (1995)
NFCA All-American First-Team (1994, 95, 97)
Amanda Scott, Fresno State, Pitcher
NCAA All-Tournament (1998, 99)
NCAA Most Outstanding Player (1998)
NCAA Champion (1998)
NFCA All-American First-Team (1997, 98, 99, 00)
Natasha Watley, UCLA, Shortstop
NCAA All-Tournament (2002, 03)
NCAA Champion (2003)
NCAA Runner-Up (2000, 01)
NFCA All-American First-Team (2000, 01, 02, 03)
Mike Candrea, University of Arizona, Coach
NCAA Champion (1991, 93, 94, 96, 97, 01)
NCAA Runner-Up (1992, 95, 98, 02)
Women’s College World Series (WCWS) appearance (1988, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 2000, 01, 02, 03, 05)
NFCA National Coach of the Year (1994, 96, 97)
An expert panel affiliated with softball selected the Division I Softball 25th Anniversary Team. The panel, which consisted of current and former coaches and athletics administrators, used historical data and results from online public voting at www.ncaasports.com to make its decision.
The 2006 Division I Softball Championships begin May 19. The Women’s College World Series is June 1-7 at the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City.
The following NCAA women’s sports are celebrating their 25th anniversary during the 2005-06 season: Division I and III women’s field hockey; Division I, II and III women’s cross country; Division I, II and III women’s volleyball; Division I, II and III women’s swimming; Division I, II and III women’s basketball; National Collegiate women’s gymnastics; Division I, II and III women’s tennis; Division I women’s golf; Division I women’s lacrosse; Division I women’s rowing; Division I and II softball; and Division I, II and III women’s outdoor track.
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