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Governor Northam Honors Wesleyan's Repeat National Softball Champions
The Governor spoke of the value of failure and friendship during his visit to campus Nov. 16
University News | November 16, 2018
Photo Gallery: Governor Northam Honors VWU Softball Champs
Governor Ralph Northam made a special stop in Virginia Beach Nov. 16 to honor the Virginia Wesleyan University Marlins on their two-time, back-to-back NCAA Division III National Softball Championships.
“I came here today to say thank you and to congratulate you on a great season and just for all the things that you’ve done at Virginia Wesleyan,” he told the team in the Greer Environmental Sciences Center on campus. “You make us proud in Virginia and we’re very appreciative of that.”
He commended the team on their tremendous achievements—noting their 55-3 record in 2018—and shared valuable advice on participating in a team sport: don’t ever be afraid to fail and treasure the lasting bonds formed with teammates, coaches, and faculty.
“I always remind people that you can climb the mountain of life, do whatever you want to do, be whatever you want to be” he said, “but don’t ever forget where you came from, and especially don’t ever forget your relationships and your friends. And that, at the end of the day, as I say, when they put us in the rocking chair on the front porch, that’s really what you’ll remember most about your life.”
Virginia Wesleyan softball claimed its second consecutive national title in May 2018, becoming only the fourth team in Division III history to achieve this distinction. The winning team earned a long list of accolades, including a second-time NCAA Player of the Year award for sophomore pitcher Hanna Hull; First Team All-American and State Player of the Year honors for senior Cassetty Howerin; Eight All-Conference, three All-Region, and two All-America recipients; and National Coaching Staff of the Year honors (as well as conference, region, and state) for Head Coach Brandon Elliott ’03 and his staff.
With this in mind, Governor Northam had just one last question for the team.
“Are y’all going to make it three in a row?”