Alabama Softball Alumni Update
4/14/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. ?? Since the program’s inception in 1997, there have been several players from all over the country contribute to the fast rise to success of Alabama softball. Former players are now scattered across the country and achieving great things in the professional realm just like they did while playing for the Crimson Tide.
Head coach Patrick Murphy provides a family atmosphere for his players, which has kept the alumni coming back to Tuscaloosa to watch their alma mater in action.
Amy (Bernard) McKenzie played for the Crimson Tide from 1998-99. She was a pitcher from Bakersfield, Calif. She is currently a physical education teacher at Fairhope High School and lives in Magnolia Springs, Ala. with her husband and two children. She recently came back to Tuscaloosa to watch Alabama face Georgia and celebrate her daughter Shelby’s first birthday.
“It is unbelievable what Coach Murphy and his staff has been able to do in 11 years,” said McKenzie. “They have put in so much and it really shows with this year’s team ranked No. 2. I brag everyday at school about the team. We try to watch them on TV or on the internet whenever we can.”
One of the members of the first Alabama team to make the Women’s College World Series was Christy (Kyle) Langham. She played from 1997-2000 and was from Texas City, Texas. She came and watched Alabama in the Easton Spring Fling as they took on Seton Hall and Louisiana-Lafayette. She got to see one of her teammates on the 2000 World Series team, Lacy Prejean, who is now an assistant coach at ULL. Langham is currently a registered nurse in the cardio vascular ward at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Birmingham.
“I came down and watched earlier this year,” said Langham. “I was very proud of us getting to No. 2. I think we are doing wonderful. I am proud to be a part of this program. It is such an honor.”
So many former players come out and support the Tide. Whether they are in Tuscaloosa or on the road, there are usually alumni present at their games.
Here is a look at what the Alabama softball alumni is doing now:
Dominique Accetturo, Received her Masters degree in December, 2006 from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Amy (Bernard) McKenzie, Teacher at Fairhope High School, Magnolia Springs, Ala.
Kristi (Black) Daugherty, Accountant, Mobile, Ala.
J.C. (Chapman) Hammer, Interior Designer for Starwood Hotels, Orlando, Fla.
Karla (Contryman) Frick, Certified Physicians Assistant at the Core Institute, Phoenix, Ariz.
Ashley Courtney, Assistant Softball Coach at Troy University, Troy, Ala.
Emily Currie, Received her Masters-Business Adminstration from Auburn in December, 2006, Huntsville, Ala.
Brittney Ezell, Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Okaloosa-Walton College, Niceville, Fla.
Kristi (Frenier) Connell, Marketing and Public Relations Director for the Ocean Pines Association, Ocean Pines, Md.
Kelley Grillo, Registered nurse in labor and delivery at The Woman's Hospital of Texas, Pasadena, Texas
Stephanie (Herzik) Perkins, Events Specialist for Thomson Micromedex (a medical information company), Castle Rock, Colo.
Angela Johnson, College Coordinator for college recruiting at Newell Rubbermaid, Atlanta, Ga.
Ginger Jones, High School Biology Teacher and softball coach at South Forsyth High, Ball Ground, Ga.
Kelly Kretschman, Member of the USA Softball Training Team and volunteer softball coach at Portland State University
Christy (Kyle) Langham, Registered Nurse at St. Vincent's Hospital, Birmingham, Ala.
Shelley Laird, Assistant Buyer of Women's Sportswear for Stage Stores Inc., Houston, Texas
Jackie McClain, Teacher and Coach at Bob Jones High School, Huntsville, Ala.
Nicki (McKee) Henley, Realtor for Weichert Realtors Eastern Shore, Fairhope, Ala.
Kelly (McQuaid) Simmons, 1st grade teacher at Castlyn Elementary, Fairhope, Ala.
Carrie (Moreman) Ashley, Owner of Ashley Medical Equipment and Supplies, Bossier City, La.
Suzanne (Olcott) Serrano, Assistant Director of Serrano Dance Studio, Birmingham, Ala.
Roxanne Oldham, Talent Director for Chrysalis Music Group, London, England
Deasy Phillips, Interior Designer at Cubellis Ecoplan, Cliffside Park, N.J.
Lacy Prejean, Assistant Softball Coach at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, Scott, La.
Staci Ramsey, Student Assistant Softball Coach for the Tide, plans to earn degree in May, 2007, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Jennifer Reach, Chef at Jim N’ Nicks’ Bar-B-Q in Hiram, Ga., Lawrenceville, Ga.
Capper Reed, Teacher and Coach at Guntersville High School, Guntersville, Ala.
Christi (Traywick) Franklin, Resource Development Coordinator for The Arc of Jefferson County, Sterrett, Ala.
Stephanie VanBrakle, UA Student Assistant Softball Coach, plans to receive Masters degree in May, 2007, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Leah White, Plans to earn degree from the University of Alabama in May, 2007, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Paula White, Social worker, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Jackie Wilkins, Director of Softball Operations for University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Erin Wright, Assistant Softball Coach at the College of Charleston, Charleston, S.C.
Jennifer (Wright) Martin, Served as Assistant Softball Coach at St. Norbert College in the fall, Brentwood, Tenn.
