Eubanks Has High School Jersey Retired
8/23/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
ST. AMANT, La. ?? Having your jersey retired is a rare honor in the sporting world, no matter what the reason or the level. Having your jersey retired at one of the most prominent high school programs in the state makes the honor even more special, as Crimson Tide shortstop Kellie Eubanks learned after her jersey was retired by her alma mater, St. Amant, in Louisiana at the team’s annual summer banquet last week.
Eubanks, who helped her St. Amant teams earn four consecutive Louisiana state titles during her illustrious prep career, certainly earned the honor after putting together one of the most impressive high school resumes in the nation while donning the now-retired No. 16 uniform.
“It’s such an honor to have my number retired, especially at St. Amant,” Eubanks said. When I was a freshman, Coach I (James Itturalde, former head coach at St. Amant) gave me that number a summer before he passed away. He just told me that I would be an all-star, so having been able to perform to the level that made that number be retired made it even more special.”
“The success of the program at St. Amant has just been incredible, so to be honored by that school is a wonderful accomplishment,” said UA head coach Patrick Murphy.
A first-team All-State performer on the field and in the classroom, Eubanks was named the Louisiana Sports Writers’ Assocation MVP, the Baton Rouge Advocate Player of the Year, the Farm Bureau Miss Softball Award and was named the state’s 5A Player of the Year as a senior.
Her abilities on the field also helped earn her some national acclaim, as the six-foot infielder was named to the NFCA High School All-Region team and was nominated for the Wendy’s High School Heisman as a junior.
Now in her third season with the Tide, Eubanks is looking to get back to the field for her second full season as Alabama’s starting shortstop. After playing 32 games as a freshman in 2006, Eubanks injured her shoulder, limiting her playing time.
In 2007, she played in all 61 games for UA, driving in 22 runs while smashing seven home runs. She led the team in walks in SEC play, drawing 16 against the league’s pitchers.
“I’m really looking forward to starting practice and getting out there on the field,” Eubanks said. “We’ll have good season and I’m looking forward to it.”
And when she takes the field with her Alabama teammates this spring, her No. 16 Crimson Tide jersey will mean just a little bit more.
