Culture in a COVID Season
May 20, 2021 | Softball
by Meg Kelly, Athletic Communications
Just under 20 minutes after BU had clinched its first-ever three-peat, the conference championship banner lining the side of the third base line was updated.
Take any of those previous 13 years on the banner, and that team has its own story to tell. Through all of those years, the component that has paced the success of the program has always endured – culture.
The space between ’19 and ’21 is mere inches in print, but the time between championships has been unparalleled. This year especially, the usual ingredients and environment mixed into the formula of team chemistry have changed, yet the yield has remained the same.
How it started ?? how it’s going pic.twitter.com/FVqgi9fAMn
— BU Softball (@TerrierSoftball) May 15, 2021
The process always starts in the fall, where the team decides what shape they want to culture to take and how to form it.
“We have a lot of team meetings at the beginning of the year, especially about what we want our culture to be about,” said junior co-captain Nicole Amodio. “I think a lot of our team is built on just trusting each other and enjoying each other’s company. We all really love each other and that’s a huge part of our culture.”
A key component of the culture is individualism, something that sixth-year head coach Ashley Waters encourages from the start.
“I think individuality is really cool,” Waters glowed. “I think when you get to college, doing well in school is cool. Performing on the field is cool. Being different and being willing to stand alone is cool. If you look at our coaching staff, administration or the team, everybody is really different and unique. Once you actually take the time and get to know them and really what they represent or what they’re brining, you realize it’s pretty special.”
This season was one-of-one kind even before the calendar turned, as last season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic after 22 games. The sophomore class had yet to experience a full college softball season and would be experiencing the full go about with the current freshmen. Nevertheless, class year doesn't matter with the Terriers. If you're wearing the Boston jersey, you're a leader.
“Going into the year I’d say we’re all on the same playing field,” stated senior Jen Horita. "That’s something Coach defiantly emphasizes too is that you don’t have to be a senior to be a leader on the field. Regardless of your class, everybody plays the same role. Everybody has to work together and everybody has a role to play."
“For me and my class, we just wanted to contribute to the championship culture that’s been created here,” reflected sophomore Caitlin Coker. “That’s more than just winning trophies, that’s more than winning conferences. It’s really about embracing each other and everyone’s individuality. Everyone contributes something very unique, especially on our team. Coach really lets us be ourselves, whether that be a vocal role or leading by example, everyone contributes something very different and versatile, and we wouldn’t be the team we are without all 19 of us.”
The seniors, who have been in the dog pile at the end of each Patriot League championship they've played in, know what it takes to win. The five-member class of 2021 has assisted BU to a remarkable 126-50 record throughout their tenure.
They also know the importance of guiding freshmen into the realm.
“I think that we’ve learned through since our freshman year is how important trust is and trusting our teammates on and off the field," commented senior co-captain Marina Sylvestri. "That really translates to our success. Every year, we ingrain that into our freshman that we need to trust you in order to be successful.”
The fall season is the usual time for the rookies to integrate themselves into the fold, but due to COVID protocols, the fall practices were limited to groups of 10.
As spring loomed around the corner, the Terriers saw their 34th season align and were able to practice as a full squad once returning to campus following intersession.
“Once we started to get to team practices in the spring, we were like ok this group is pretty special, this group can do a lot.” recalled Amodio. “We were just so excited to get out there and I think that transferred. You take each moment like it could be your last, each game like it could be your last.”
“Coming into the spring, being able to practice as a full team really helped,” furthered Horita. “We could all be in the same space at the same time. Having all the energy with everybody together really helped us gel and build that team chemistry.”
With that, the team took advantage of more chances to bond, even if they were out of their elements at times.
“We’ve found ourselves doing more outdoor activities," said Sylvestri. "Whether it was going to eat outside spread out at the field, playing volleyball, frisbee, football, all these outdoor games that we normally wouldn’t do or even think about doing. I’m grateful that we even get to do that because it’s just another opportunity to get to know your teammates.”
Following a 15-1 start in non-conference play, the Terriers dominated the Patriot League as they reeled off a league-record 17-game win streak. Army snapped BU's streak in April, but the Terriers started a new one and are now riding an 18-game win streak, which is the nation's second-longest active win streak.
“We expected to come in and do really well in conference," assured Coker. "We expected to win conference. Last year, we had a really good start as well and the returners definitely felt like we had something taken from us, and so did the entire country. We just wanted to come back and make a statement. We have a lot of studs on the team who are not only great players, but great people. We were all really excited not only to play, but to play with each other.”
The Terriers not only made a statement, they made history as they earned their fourth 3-0 sweep of the Patriot League Tournament.
“I think this year, and maybe every coach would say it, has been the most challenging year," Waters vouched. “I’m a big person in believing that there’s no excuses, so when you have a chance to do something, you should do it.”
With a chance to make noise as a No. 3 seed for the second time in program history, you can bet on one thing, BU is ready to write more history.
