University of Minnesota Athletics
Former Softball Players Competing in Europe
8/26/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
A trio of former University of Minnesota softball players are extending their careers and have found success this summer playing in Europe.
All seniors in the 2009 season, Colleen Conway, Briana Hassett and Shannon Stemper have been able to continue playing overseas.
Originally from Woodbury, Minn., Conway has spent her summer in Switzerland playing for the Therwil Flyers. Conway is a player/coach for the Flyers, meaning that along with her duties as the shortstop and leadoff hitter, she also must set up and run practice, solidify umpires, handle team meetings and do any and all the scheduling that is involved with the team.
Currently the Therwil Flyers are in first place in the league standings, with the playoffs starting in September. The Flyers are the favorite to win the league title. Conway's team won the Swiss league last season, meaning this season they were invited to the European Cup, which includes team from all over Europe. The tournament is held in Bulgaria from Aug. 15 to 23.
"It is quite an honor and a big deal to make the tournament," said Conway. "It is something the players look forward to all year."
Conway was also able to play for the Swiss National team in a round robin tournament in Amsterdam. Her team went undefeated through three games, playing with the best-of-the-best from Switzerland.
Battery mates throughout their careers, Stemper and Hassett have the luxury of continuing their careers together. With the Eagan, Minn. native, Hassett, in the circle and the Burnsville, Minn. native, Stemper, behind the plate, the pair has continued the success they experienced with the Golden Gophers.
For the past three months, they have been playing softball in the Netherlands and living in Huizen, which is about 30 minutes from east of Amsterdam. Their exploits on the diamond have taken them all over the country, and they now are competing in the league playoffs.
The playoffs last seven weeks, and after the second week of the tournament, Hassett, Stemper and the rest of their team sat in second place. The pair hopes to ride their current winning streak to a deep playoff run.
"We are grateful for the opportunity to travel and play abroad," said Stemper. "However, we do look forward to the Minnesota fall and watching the new Gophers team compete."
This past spring, Hassett earned All-Big Ten honors and was named the Golden Gophers Most Valued Player by her teammates. Conway was named the team's Defensive Player of the Year while Conway, Hassett and Stemper all earned the Maroon and Gold Severson award, which recognizes outstanding dedication to the program.
"All of us at the Minnesota softball program are very proud of these young women," said co-head coach Lisa Bernstein. "Not only for the success they have achieved, but also for being such great ambassadors of Golden Gopher softball."
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