Chandler Dare: Goal-Driven On and Off the Field
3/11/2017 12:44:00 PM | Softball
Chandler Dare will be celebrating her senior day this Saturday, March 11 at Rhoads Stadium.
Chandler Dare has always been interested in learning more. Specifically, she loves to travel and embrace new experiences. Those experiences have helped define her.
"I played travel ball for the Tuscaloosa Titans," Dare said. "I loved it because I was able to travel and play with my best friends. I actually broke my left thumb while playing travel ball. It's the main reason why I bat left-handed."
From a young age, the Tuscaloosa native was very familiar with Alabama softball. Dare was inspired by the student-athletes from being around them in camps and watching them on TV. She attended multiple UA softball camps and specifically has fond memories of participating in Brittany Rogers' group. The inspiration from Rogers, a four-time All-American outfielder, and other former Alabama greats made her want to play collegiately.
"When I was eight years old, I knew that I wanted to go to the next level," Dare said. "The atmosphere, fans and just UA softball in general inspired me. Alabama softball has always been known to have one of the best teams. It's crazy that this team was basically in my backyard and I was able to watch them play."
From that moment on, Dare worked hard to achieve her goal. When she sets her mind to something, she gets it done. She accredits this drive to her mother, Marla, who she describes as very organized and driven. With the support of her family, Chandler committed to play softball at UA in October of 2010.     Â
The Tuscaloosa native is going to accomplish a lot during her four years at the Capstone. In May of last year, she earned her undergraduate degree in public relations after just three years. Currently, Dare is working toward her master's degree in sports business management and is set to graduate from the program this May.
"I started college during my sophomore year in high school by participating in the Early College Program," Dare said. "When I started my freshman year of college, I came in with about 20 credits. I took 18 hours during the fall and spring semesters. I was able to accomplish it while also playing softball because of time management skills. I'm goal-oriented and driven. To me, earning a B is not succeeding. I'll do whatever it takes to keep going. On or off the field, when something is thrown at me, I get it done."
Her constant hard work is evident in everything she does. This past summer, she was offered an internship with Google. Dare found out about the internship through one of her public relations professors at Alabama, Randall Huffaker. Her experience working with her intern team at Google paralleled the atmosphere she sees with her softball team in Tuscaloosa.
"Softball and Google are both team-oriented," Dare said. "When I was working at Google, I didn't feel like I was at work. I felt like I was on a team. This experience taught me how learning teamwork through sports is important when working in the business sector."
Without the support of her friends, family and coaches, all that she has been able to experience would not be possible. Closing out her time at UA, Dare wants to do whatever she can to help the team succeed.
"I want to carry forward what's been paved for me," Dare said. "I want to carry on a legacy of greatness and the gold standard."
Dare only expects the best out of herself. Through hard work and dedication, she believes that she will be able to carry on that same legacy left before her. As she reflected on her experiences at the Capstone, she smiled.
"Our fans are amazing, there is no other place like Rhoads Stadium," Dare said. "I still get goosebumps every time I run onto the field. Our fans are classy, passionate and they'll yell at the ref for you when you wish you could. We wouldn't have as much success without them. Their energy in the stands only builds more energy for us on the field.
"To me, playing at Alabama softball is bigger than the Women's College World Series."
