Fresno State Athletics
Q&A With Becky Witt
3/5/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 5, 2008
FRESNO, Calif. - A freshman outfielder from Reseda, Calif., on the 1998 National Championship team, Becky Witt started in a team-high 63 games. As Fresno State is celebrating the 10 year anniversary of the University's only National Championship, Witt sat down with www.gobulldogs.com to share some of her experiences from that historic team.
What was it like to be recruited by Coach Wright? "I was so excited! She was with the Olympic team at the time, and the fact that Fresno State had players competing for a spot on the Olympic team was a sticking point for me in making my decision prior to visiting the campus and seeing the facility."
You played in a team-high 63 games, so as a freshman what was it like coming in on a team that was favored to go to the WCWS? "It was a whole new world to me, being on such a potent team that at any moment we could take over a game whether it was with our defense or offense. There was great upperclassman leadership to follow in Laura Berg, Nina Lindenberg, Amanda Scott, Lindsay Parker, and Jaime Maxey, that the transition was made easier. Winning a Regional is no easy task, and we had some tough teams to beat including Cal. You have to take one game at a time; there is no looking ahead to Oklahoma City until that last out is played."
During the regular season, was there a point where you thought we might be able to win the whole thing? "One game at a time is how we thought about the season. Yes we set goals for the team, win WAC, win the Regional, and win WCWS. But to automatically think during the regular season that we could win the whole thing is not that practical."
Can you talk about the postseason and what each game felt like? "Being the number 7 seed really lit a fire under us...again no respect. That motivated us. We beat Nebraska, mercy-ruled Michigan, then came Washington and we lost. I know it hit me like, we have been on such a roll that nobody could beat us and we just lost! That's when Laura Berg took over in between games to loosen up the atmosphere! Everyone was like what just happened! We were waiting up in the press box because there was AC, and a little food spread Laura took some rolls and started throwing them at some of us and we all took a deep breath and knew things were going to be ok. Lindsay Parker pitched the game of her life in that 2nd game and before we knew it we were in the championship game!"
What was the moment in the Championship game where you realized you actually did it and what did you feel at that moment? "When the last out was recorded we were able to really feel like we did it, even then we were in disbelief. Arizona had speed and power in their lineup that they could score at will. When Angela recorded that last out it was sheer bliss and I don't think I could have run any faster from the outfield to join the mob that was forming around the pitcher's mound: crying, hugging, and laughing! It was so special to see Coach hugging her Dad on the field after we had won because he was always our biggest fan."
What did you learn from Coach Wright or your time at Fresno State that you still keep with you? "I learned so many things from Coach both on and off the field. I learned how to be a respected, upstanding individual in our community, to be a strong woman in the professional field, never stop pursuing your dreams, but most of all how to be a well rounded individual. She is a living example. On the field I became a better student of the game, she taught me how to play like a Bulldog, and she never let us forget about all the great players before us who paved the way for such storied tradition, a beautiful stadium, and tremendous following of Bulldog faithful."
What do you do now? Job, family...etc. "I am married to former Fresno State Baseball Player Josh Labandeira. We reside in Fresno with our Chocolate Lab Dottie and I work at Sierra Pacific Orthopedic Center as a Physical Therapist."
What did the Fresno Community mean to the team and the support of the Bulldog Faithful? "The community support that we received when we returned to Fresno was incredible. Mobs of people were at the airport and the school band was there! I think Fresno was excited to have a National Championship in their city! We had a parade and people lined Shaw Avenue from Fashion Fair to Bulldog Diamond-holy cow!"
