DRC Softball..new program plays 1st home game Sat

OldTimer · October 4, 2003

Softball: Fall tourney could be valuable for UNT softball

New program plays first home games Saturday

08:18 AM CDT on Saturday, October 4, 2003

By Brett Vito / Staff Writer

Stacey Segal had a good idea of the characteristics she wanted in her players when she began rebuilding North Texas’ softball program earlier this year.

Segal wanted athletes with more than just talent. She wanted players with character who were willing to lay the foundation for a new team.

"The most important thing is that it’s easy to find good athletes," Segal said. "It’s hard to find the players who are willing to work hard to lay the foundation for a new program."

Segal ought to know. UNT’s coach started programs at Northwood University and Navarro Junior College before coming to UNT.

Segal’s latest start-up team will play its first home game since the program was disbanded in 1988 in the Mean Green Fall Classic tournament, which begins Saturday at Denia Park. UNT will take on Texarkana College at noon in the first round of the 16-team tournament that will feature Division I and II teams, along with a few junior college and top-level club teams.

Texas Woman’s University will also play in the event. The Pioneers will face Midwestern State in their first tournament game at 10 a.m.

UNT prepared for the Mean Green Fall Classic by playing in another event in Oklahoma earlier this fall.

Segal has been happy with what she has seen from her team so far this season.

"This is a fantastic group of kids," Segal said. "They have all done a fine job."

UNT’s roster is filled with players with experience on the junior college level and former high school standouts. Several of the players decided to come to UNT because of the opportunities playing for a new program provided.

"It was exciting to get a chance to play for a new program," said Brittiny Chapman, a junior who transferred to UNT from Central Arizona Junior College. "I will get a chance to set a few records since this is the first year for the team."

UNT’s players believe they have the opportunity to make their first season a successful one.

"I definitely think coach Segal has put us in the position to be successful," Chapman said. "We have all the talent we need."

Amber Wood knows just what Segal has in store for her first team.

Wood played for Segal at Navarro and decided to follow her to UNT.

"Coach Segal is hard to play for, but she makes you a better player," said Wood, who pitched on Sanger High School’s 2001 state championship team. "I was excited to come here and play for her again."

Part of what made the opportunity to become UNT’s head coach attractive to Segal was a chance to recruit players like Wood from the Dallas area.

"We are in a hotbed for softball," Segal said. "The [Dallas-Fort Worth] Metroplex is an incredible area to recruit from."

Segal believes that talent base and the support the UNT athletic department has given the new program will allow the team to be successful.

"The university has a winning tradition," Segal said. "We want to follow that tradition."

BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870.

North Texas Fall Classic

Saturday’s schedule

Field 1

8 a.m. — UT-Arlington vs. Texas Wesleyan

10 a.m. — UT-Arlington vs. Texarkana

Noon — North Texas vs. Texarkana

2p.m. — UT-Arlington vs. Western Texas