Abigail Hofer '21 Recruiting Profile

I am a coach’s kid. My father has coached me from the time I first put on a pair of cleats until I entered high school. He said he knew I would play softball when I first picked up a crayon with my left hand.

There are some bad things about playing for your dad. The arguments about what I should have done differently, or could have done better come to mind. Being pushed harder, practicing longer, and being held more accountable than every other kid is a little tough. Understanding sometimes he is coach, but he is still dad can be rough. But, as I begin my second year of high school and look at the possibility of playing in college, now I understand.

Though my high school and club coaches handle the practices and games now, the lessons of my father still echo in my head. Great players are the first to arrive at practice. Great players are the last to leave practice. Great players practice when others are not. Great players focus on every rep. Great players pick up their teammates. Great players make other players better. Great players are the best cheerleaders. Great players battle through adversity. Great players listen. Great players are coachable. Great players set up, clean up, and hurry up at practice. Great players understand the game, and work on their craft.

It sure takes a lot to be a great player. But, I want to be great.