Michigan Softball Names Its Silver Anniversary Team
10/2/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan softball program has announced its Silver Anniversary team as part of its 25th-year reunion festivities that include the reunion tailgate and alumni softball game during homecoming weekend on Oct. 26-27. The team was selected through Internet and in-game voting by Michigan fans throughout the 2002 campaign last spring to celebrate the program's 25th season, during which the Wolverines earned their eighth Big Ten Conference regular-season title, seventh Big Ten Tournament title and sixth trip to the Women's College World Series.
The Silver Anniversary team ranges in eras from Jan Boyd and Mena Reyman, both of whom helped the 1982 team to the Big Ten Tournament title and the AIAW World Series, to Marissa Young (Santa Ana, Calif./Mater Dei HS), who still has her senior season remaining after leading the 2002 Wolverines back to the WCWS and becoming Michigan's career strikeout leader as a junior. Four members of the Silver Anniversary Team -- Jenny Allard, Vicki Morrow, Alicia Seegert and Bonnie Tholl -- were members of the Big Ten All-Decade team (1982-92) that was selected in 1992 following the first 10 years of Big Ten softball competition.
The three Michigan teams most represented on the Silver Anniversary Team are the 1996, '97 and '98 squads, with five players from each season making the team. During that three-year stretch the Wolverines posted a record of 163-37-1 (.813), won two Big Ten regular-season titles and three Big Ten Tournament championships, and made three straight trips to the WCWS, including program-best fifth-place finishes in 1997 and '98.
In the 20 seasons since Big Ten round-robin play began in 1983, the Wolverines have won a conference-best eight regular-season titles and seven tournament crowns while representing the Big Ten in six WCWS -- the 1982 team reached the AIAW World Series before Big Ten round-robin play began. Michigan's six trips to the WCWS under the umbrella of the NCAA since 1983 are tied for the fourth-best total in the nation. Only UCLA (17), Arizona (13) and Fresno State (12) have played in the WCWS more than the Wolverines.
After finishing runner-up in the Big Ten four times from 1983-91, the Wolverines won their first Big Ten regular-season title in 1992 to begin a string of excellence over the past 11 seasons that witnessed Michigan win eight such championships in 11 years. In Big Ten postseason action, Michigan has won seven of the 11 tournament titles, finishing runner-up in its other four trips to the conference tourney. Over the 20 seasons of the Big Ten action, the Wolverines have compiled a conference-leading record of 342-143 (.705).
The Silver Anniversary Michigan Softball Team
Jenny Allard, Utility (1987-90)
    Big Ten Player of the Year and All-American first-team selection in 1989
Patti Benedict, Outfield (1990-93)
    Two-time Big Ten Player of the Year and All-America selection
Jan Boyd, Pitcher (1982-83)
    GTE Academic All-America second-team selection in 1983; Third on U-M's strikeout list
Traci Conrad, First Base (1996-99)
    Three-time All-America selection; U-M career leader in hits, runs and batting average
Cathy Davie, Outfield (1996-98)
    All-America second-team selection in 1999; Michigan career leader in doubles
Sara Griffin, Utility (1995-98)
    Three-time All-America first-team selection, two-time Big Ten Player of the Year
Kelly Holmes, Pitcher (1994-97)
    1997 Big Ten Pitcher of the Year, All-American and U-M co-Female Athlete of the Year
Kelsey Kollen, Second Base (1999-2002)
    Two-time All-America selection, including first-team honors in 2001
Kelly Kovach, Utility (1992-95)
    All-America first-team selection in 1995 and two-time Big Ten Pitcher of the Year
Vicki Morrow, Pitcher (1984-87)
    All-America second-team selection and Big Ten Player of the Year in 1987
Mena Reyman, First Base (1982-85)
    Two-time GTE Academic All-American
Alicia Seegert, Catcher (1984-87)
    Two-time All-American, including first-team honors in 1986
Kellyn Tate, Outfield (1995-98)
    Two-time All-American and three-time All-Big Ten first team
Melissa Taylor, Outfield (1998-2001)
    All-America second team and Big Ten Player of the Year in 2001
Bonnie Tholl, Shortstop (1988-91)
    Only Big Ten player named all-conference first team in each of her four seasons
Stefanie Volpe, Third Base (1999-2002)
    Two-time All-America selection and two-time All-Big Ten first-team third baseman
Marissa Young, Utility (2000-present)
    Two-time All-American and U-M career strikeout leader; Only current Wolverine on team
Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423
