March Student Athlete Of The Month: Kelly McCabe
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March 8, 2001
CHARLOTTESVILLE – Student Athlete-of-the-Month showcases an athlete who has demonstrated excellence both on the field and in the classroom. The March Student Athlete-of-the-Month, redshirt third-year outfielder Kelly McCabe, has displayed a strong and passionate work ethic in all her Universityendeavors. Kelly is a Psychology major and Spanish minor. She hopes to attend graduate school at the Curry School of Education next year and complete her last year of eligibility playing softball. The Pennsylvania native anticipates a great upcoming season and is ready to be back in the field. Kelly will be an offensive spark for the Cavaliers and will see quality playing time in the outfield.
Q: When did you begin playing softball?
A: To be in my family, you have to play. Softball and baseball are definitely a family affair. My dad and brother played in college and both my younger brothers play. I think I got into it when I was first able to walk. I have pictures when I was two or three, bat in hand, chasing my brother around. It’s just something we did every weekend. On Saturday we would go to the park and have batting practice. That’s what we did. It was fun and part of our everyday life. I think that is where I first found my love for it.
Q: Why did you choose to come to UVa and have you enjoyed your experience here?
A: UVa is awesome! It is the most unbelievable place in the world and it is a dream come true. I did not find out I was going here until June of my senior year. I had already enrolled at Bloomsburg College, where my dad played baseball and basketball. The coach at UVa had never even seen me play and called and said I was coming. I didn’t see the school before I signed tocome here. The first time I saw UVa was in August. I have absolutely enjoyed my experience here. I don’t ever want to leave. I wouldn’t change a thing. I just love everything about this place. I actually want to live in Charlottesville probably for the rest of my life.
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: I am a Psychology major and Spanish minor and have applied to grad school at the Curry School for Counselor Education. My ultimate goal is to be a Life Skills Coordinator at a university. Hopefully if I get into the Curry School I will be able to finish my last year of eligibility and go to school at the same time. I’m sure this will be difficult,but it would be just another dream come true after these four years that I have already spent here.
Q: Do you have a favorite professor here at Virginia?
A: Yes, David T. Gies, he is a professor of Spanish. I had him for Conversation Cinema. It was the hardest class but turned out to be my favorite. He had us over for dinner and was so nice. My psychology classes are too big to do anything like that. It was a really neat experience.
Q: Are you anticipating a good season for the team?
A: Definitely anticipating a good season. There is only one fourth year on the team this year, I am a third-year redshirt in terms of softball. We are overtaken by the first years. I think there are about six or seven of them. They are a really, really talented group and I think they are going to be a huge key to our success this year. I think we are going to do better thisyear than we have in my past three years here, so I am excited.
Q: What is your best softball memory at Virginia?
A: Probably beating our biggest rival, Florida State, in the ACC Tournament last year.Unfortunately, it wasn’t for the championship, but it was to get us into the winner’s bracket of the championship game. It was the first time that I was associated with winning against Florida State. It was an awesome game. It was real close. I remember standing in the field, biting my nails between every single pitch. That is my best memory of softball in my four years here.