Professor of Communication Studies at the University of Northern Colorado.

I am told that I picked up a baseball and asked my grandfather to play catch at age two. I started playing organized baseball in Morrison, IL when a friend, with whom I played back yard ball, suggested I try out. This was in 1977. He got me the registration form, it was dropped off at the barber shop, we walked down to tryouts, and I was drafted onto an A league team.

Played Little League baseball (4^th through 7^th grade) on the White Sox (playing on a town all-star team three of the four years) and Pony League baseball (8^th and 9^th grade) with the Cardinals and Cubs. For several years was the bat “boy” and scorekeeper for the American Legion team, Paul’s Prestos. We lived nearly across the street from the American Legion field and many a midwestern evening was spent with my dad pitching (often attempting his knuckleball and acting as Stan the Man or the Splendid Splinter at the plate,) my mom hitting ground balls, and my brother and I practicing all things baseball.

My organized softball journey got underway when a friend knocked on our door one 4^th of July and asked if I would play in a softball tournament….ah right now, today down at the Little League field. Began playing league slow-pitch with the Palominos, Schuler’s Sluggers and town women’s traveling team in 8^th grade. Played with first co-ed team in the summer of 1982. Moved to TX and switched to fast-pitch playing for the San Antonio Hurricanes (10^th-12^th grade.) First year college summer played with the Irving (TX) Raiders, second year college summer with the Afton (MO) Marooners, and one year post college with the St. Paul (MN) Raiders.

Began playing slow-pitch again during college junior summer with Milady’s (Faribault, MN.) Continued to play with this team as the name changed to Matrix, Taco Johns, Downtown Faribault Merchants and then back to Milady’s. This team was renowned at Fireman’s in Bloomington, was consistently successful at Dawn, Terry, (and Stacey’s) in Owatonna, and was almost always ranked in the top 10 in the state as reported in “Let’s Play Softball.” Remained with this team until its retirement in 1995, played coed in Chanhassen with friends from Milady’s in 1996, in which season I hit the only cycle of my career!

Took a four-year break from playing ball when moved to CO to pursue Ph. D. degree. In 2001, began playing women’s ball in Longmont for a variety of teams, most frequently with the Psycho Chicks, began playing coed in 2002, and have continued to play, as I can, in Longmont, Loveland and Boulder. For ten years, 2005 and 2010-2019, played on the womens Playball Bunnies and variably named coed teams in Izzy Crouse’s Softball for Cure Tournament, being a recipient of support in 2009 when going through treatment for breast cancer. Currently play coed on Izzy’s Tenacious Turtles and CSSA Wednesday morning traveling team the Boulder Blues.

Played basketball 5^th through 9^th grade (there was no girls team at Alamo Heights High School at the time,) volleyball 9^th through 12^th grade, competed in track and field as a sprinter, relay runner, and discus thrower 6^th grade through 9^th grade, added throwing the shot put in 12^th grade. Also “lettered” in band for the saxophone in 11^th grade, playing tenor in jazz band as well as alto in marching and concert during 9^th and 11^th grades.

Attended NCAA Division III Carleton College (MN) playing volleyball, basketball, and softball all four years. Was all-conference honorable mention as a first-year player, all-conference sophomore, junior and senior years, and academic all-conference senior year in softball. Received the Special Team Award in both basketball and softball senior year. Also received the Ele Hansen Award for 1989.

After graduation, remained at Carleton as an assistant coach in basketball and softball 1989-1991. Coached 8^th grade volleyball in Faribault in 1989 and was head JV Volleyball coach at Carleton 1990-1991 and 1993-1995. Served as interim head softball coach in 1992. Assisted at Albion College (MI) in 1995. Also volunteered at the college and high school levels during the transitions to both of my graduate degrees. During my post college time in MN, I worked at the Faribault Recreation Center as head of aquatics, including leading seniors pool workouts, 1989-1992. I was also the head of summer beginner ball (post kindergarten), tee ball (first grade), softtpich (second and third grade), and girl’s fastpitch (4^th through 7^th grade) 1990-1996. In 2019, I was inducted into Carleton’s ‘C’ Club (athletics) Hall of Fame.

Enjoy traveling, especially to National Parks, camping, tandem kayaking, advanced beginner skiing, and attending live music and theatre. Have made it to the top of two 14ers. In 2025, along with Priscilla, completed the canon – seeing all 38 of Shakespeare’s plays. We’re currently working on August Wilson’s Century Cycle – 5 seen, 5 to go – and have recently taken up going to the opera. My brother’s family lives overseas and I visit Hans, Jen, Katja and Zoe each summer at my mom’s house in IL.

Favorite Peaches Story: Thank you Chloe for sharing your number with me. I have never been as nervous as I was the morning of coaching my first Peaches 79+ team games at the Huntsman tournament in 2022. I woke up and was like, what is this queasy feeling…oh that’s nerves. It is such an honor to be a Peach, to be a part of something so deeply meaningful along with all these amazing women (and men.) Peaches 4 Ever.