Thanks to student interest, the Junior Varsity program is back after a three-year absence. Phillips Academy once again fields two softball teams. PA has one of the best softball venues at the secondary level in New England, featuring the two diamonds at Isham Field. Both have skinned infields, and the main field is equipped with an outfield fence, electronic scoreboard, bullpens, bleachers, team dugouts and a storage facility. There is also an outdoor batting cage. Whether our spectators have been former President George Bush ’41, or friends, family and fans, sit in the stands or catch rays on the grassy bank that runs parallel to the third base line, they enjoy the cozy confines of this intimate setting.

Andover has had a softball program since becoming a coeducational institution in 1973. Over that time period, the varsity teams have rung up a .716 winning percentage, winning nine tournament titles. The team posted a 7-5 record in the weather-hampered 2003 season. Since 2001, PA has co-hosted the Big East Prep Invitational tournament, an 8-team, double-elimination competition held on the third weekend in May. Every year, we focus on individual skill development, team building and -- last but not least -- having fun. Andover annually faces a challenging slate of opponents, including top public and parochial teams in addition to traditional prep rivals.

As happy as we have been with their athletic achievements, one of our proudest achievements remains the outstanding academic records compiled by our players.

Over the years, as many as half the team has earned Honor Roll grades during the softball season. One of our former captains recently graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the Division I university where she also played four years of varsity softball. Andover graduates have gone on to play collegiate softball at all three NCAA divisions. Several have captained their teams, one leading them to the NCAA Division I Regionals. Some have become coaches at the youth, high school or college level. Several have ended their competitive softball careers at Andover, but have starred in other college sports, such as soccer, crew and ice hockey. One former shortstop scored a hat trick as her team won the NCAA Women’s Hockey championship. Currently, Andover grads are playing softball at Colorado College, Smith and the University of Winston-Salem.

The most exciting stories relate what graduates have gone on to do off the field. They are active professionally in art, business, education, engineering, environmental issues, law, medicine, politics, public policy, research and travel. They have families of their own and typically have been giving back to their communities. One recent alumna, now in graduate school, ran a water resources project in China after her college graduation. She began studying Chinese here while excelling as a leadoff batter. In short, softball alumnae are among the many PA graduates who have put their Andover education and wide range of interests to good use.