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Photo by: Brad Rempel
Gopher Spotlight: Amber Fiser
1/28/2021 8:00:00 AM | Softball
Gopher All-American pitcher Amber Fiser almost had her collegiate career come to an abrupt end last March. With seasons canceled on March 12, 2020, the future was unknown for the senior hurler. However, as the NCAA garnered another year of eligibility, Fiser didn't hesitate and announced she was returning for the 2021 season. The Van Horne, Iowa native graduated with a 3.66 GPA and earned her undergraduate degree in business and marketing education in 2020. She is currently earning her master's degree in sports management. Read more one what led to her decision to return and what she's most looking forward to this upcoming spring.
GopherSports: You were in Hawaii last year when you learned that your 2020 season was over. Walk us through your reaction and the possibility that your collegiate season almost came to an abrupt end?
Amber Fiser: We were all eating breakfast as a team and before that, our coaches let us know that other conferences started to cancel their season, but haven't heard from the B1G yet. So we went to breakfast and during it, the coaches pulled the whole team together into a room and told us the news. I was very emotional and couldn't believe that my career was over and never thought the night before that I was pitching my last game in a Gopher uniform.
GS: When did you realize you wanted to come back for this season and what led to that decision?
AF: That same day our season was canceled, a lot of people were talking about the possibility of NCAA granting us another year and that same day I made the decision that if I get that opportunity, there's no doubt that I'll take another year. There's a lot to finish yet and I didn't want to end my career this way. I had way more to prove.
GS: You already received your degree, what are you studying now?
AF: I am going for masters in sports management.
GS: What was it like coming back to campus the first time and getting into practices?
AF: It was so exciting and relieving. I think it was very questionable of when we were going to finally be able to come back. Being shut down for six months and finally being able to come back made me realize how lucky I am and how much I love being at Minnesota.
GS: Your pitching coach is now your head coach in Piper Ritter. Talk about what she's like as a coach and what she means to Minnesota Softball.
AF: I think there couldn't have been a better person for our head coach. She is Minnesota softball and the fight and loyalty she has towards this program means a lot to all of us. Knowing that we have a coach that is invested in us not only as players, but as students and as a person as well. Her role hasn't changed much for me since she's been my coach from the beginning, but it's fun to see how much more involved she is with the rest of the team. THey now get to see her in ways they haven't before. She's fun and still pushes us to be the best version of ourselves on and off the field.
GS: What are you most looking forward to this upcoming season?
AF: I'm just looking forward to having one last season with my teammates. Going out there with no expectations, having fun and enjoying the opportunity, while all working together towards the same goal. I feel like there's been so much negativity in the world in everyone's lives since COVID-19 happened. This is a chance for us to forget about everything around us and remind ourselves of why we love the game, how thankful we are for this opportunity, and make as many memories as we can. It's time to leave it all on the field.
GopherSports: You were in Hawaii last year when you learned that your 2020 season was over. Walk us through your reaction and the possibility that your collegiate season almost came to an abrupt end?
Amber Fiser: We were all eating breakfast as a team and before that, our coaches let us know that other conferences started to cancel their season, but haven't heard from the B1G yet. So we went to breakfast and during it, the coaches pulled the whole team together into a room and told us the news. I was very emotional and couldn't believe that my career was over and never thought the night before that I was pitching my last game in a Gopher uniform.
GS: When did you realize you wanted to come back for this season and what led to that decision?
AF: That same day our season was canceled, a lot of people were talking about the possibility of NCAA granting us another year and that same day I made the decision that if I get that opportunity, there's no doubt that I'll take another year. There's a lot to finish yet and I didn't want to end my career this way. I had way more to prove.
GS: You already received your degree, what are you studying now?
AF: I am going for masters in sports management.
GS: What was it like coming back to campus the first time and getting into practices?
AF: It was so exciting and relieving. I think it was very questionable of when we were going to finally be able to come back. Being shut down for six months and finally being able to come back made me realize how lucky I am and how much I love being at Minnesota.
GS: Your pitching coach is now your head coach in Piper Ritter. Talk about what she's like as a coach and what she means to Minnesota Softball.
AF: I think there couldn't have been a better person for our head coach. She is Minnesota softball and the fight and loyalty she has towards this program means a lot to all of us. Knowing that we have a coach that is invested in us not only as players, but as students and as a person as well. Her role hasn't changed much for me since she's been my coach from the beginning, but it's fun to see how much more involved she is with the rest of the team. THey now get to see her in ways they haven't before. She's fun and still pushes us to be the best version of ourselves on and off the field.
GS: What are you most looking forward to this upcoming season?
AF: I'm just looking forward to having one last season with my teammates. Going out there with no expectations, having fun and enjoying the opportunity, while all working together towards the same goal. I feel like there's been so much negativity in the world in everyone's lives since COVID-19 happened. This is a chance for us to forget about everything around us and remind ourselves of why we love the game, how thankful we are for this opportunity, and make as many memories as we can. It's time to leave it all on the field.
Highlights: Gophers 5, SIUE 0
Tuesday, March 10
Highlights: Gophers 4, Indiana 6
Sunday, March 08
Highlights: Gophers 2, Indiana 0
Friday, March 06
Highlights: Gophers 6, Central Michigan 1
Saturday, February 21