Marisa Runyon: Family Bond at Home and on the Road
3/4/2017 9:39:00 AM | Softball
Marisa Runyon will be celebrating her senior day this Saturday, March 4 at Rhoads Stadium.
Whether it be playing catch with a close friend as a child or riding four-wheelers with her family, Marisa Runyon has always loved playing outside no matter the occasion.
"I mainly grew up riding four wheelers, kayaking and camping," Runyon said. "I actually played tackle football for a year, too."
The exercise science major from Myrtle Beach, S.C. has always been extremely close to her family. Growing up on a farm in New York, Runyon was able to spend plenty of quality time with her siblings since the closest neighbors were a mile away. She and her siblings would find ways to have friendly, but competitive games together.
"I give my brother Kyle credit all the time for my athletic abilities because we competed at such a young age," Runyon said. "We'd always compete, and I think that has a lot to do with why I'm so competitive."
Coming from a very sporty family, Runyon's parents often doubled as her coaches growing up. Her parents, Delisle and Jennifer, would rotate back and forth coaching basketball and softball. Having such a close family upbringing has shaped her into the person that she is today.
"Being in a sports family, we grew up watching sports all the time," Runyon commented. "I would stay up and watch baseball games with my dad. We'd watch the New York Mets and have them recorded. I can remember falling asleep on the couch watching the game with him."
Even after moving from New York to Myrtle Beach and then to Tuscaloosa for school, Ruynon has always been able to keep the close family ties that she's so used to. She feels that even though she is not with her immediate family, the team serves as a type of extended family.
"When I came in fall of my freshmen year, it was pretty tough for me being away from home, as it is for everyone," Runyon said. "The team made sure I knew that I was a part of their family. I think that since I've been here, this year is the closest team we've ever had."
Now as a senior, Ruynon made it a priority to get to know all of the newcomers on the team just as the upperclassmen did in her freshman year. Having been there before, she knows how intimidating it can be to come into a new place and not know people very well.
"I remind them that I've been there. I'll always tell them that my apartment is wide open," Runyon said. "I took them out to a breakfast, lunch or dinner one by one in the fall to just talk with them and let them know that I'm here if they need anything."
Runyon's love for her team is evident, and it does not go unnoticed. During opening weekend, the Crimson Tide competed at the Kickin' Chicken Classic in Conway, S.C., just outside of Myrtle Beach. For Runyon, this was an opportunity for her family to come and watch her play. All of her family including her parents, siblings, grandparents, uncle and even her newborn nephew were in attendance.
"It was so fun to share my family with the team," Runyon said. "My family was actually telling me how they can see the love and passion that we have for the game and each other. Being able to start my senior season at home helped me clear my mind to play in front of family and friends."
As Runyon continued to talk about her experience between both her two families, she smiled from ear to ear.
"Playing at The University of Alabama has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Runyon said. "It's easily the greatest decision I've ever made. There's no place I'd rather be."
