Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs' Mindset Focused on Excellence
2/23/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 23, 2011
FRESNO, Calif. - It's a simple philosophy.
When you put on a Bulldog softball jersey, you are expected to be the best.
"We have the simplest of tastes here at Fresno State: we only want the best," head softball coach Margie Wright has said of the Dogs' mentality and expectations. "Our philosophy is based on being the very best you can be, both as a softball player and as a person."
As the Fresno State softball team sits six wins from its 1,500th victory in program history, the milestone is reflective of what it takes to be a champion and develop a culture of sustainable success.
"Our basic strategy on the softball field is to take the athletes who come to this program and use their strengths to pursue a national title," Wright added. "Making the most out of what we have, allowing people to be the players they are confident in being and developing the overall individual makes our `team' concept one of the best in the USA."
Wright is the NCAA's all-time winningest Division I head fastpitch softball coach with 1,389 career victories, which is more than 125 wins than her closest peer - current LSU coach Yvette Girouard.
Throughout the years, Fresno State has set the standard as the nation's only program to qualify for all 29 NCAA Tournaments while also producing eight professionals, 16 Olympians, 18 Academic All-Americans, 55 All-Americans and 108 All-Region honorees.
These feats are another illustration of how a program can consistently deliver on and off the field.
"One of our top priorities in our softball program is that all of our student-athletes graduate and become the best at the profession of their choice," Wright noted. "It is our belief that if students have discipline in the classroom, they will also have discipline on the field. The two go hand-in-hand."
So as the undefeated Bulldogs enter this weekend's prestigious Cathedral City Classic, Fresno State's path will cross other elite schools by design and purpose.
"To be the best, you have to play the best and that's what we do," Wright said.
This weekend, the Dogs' competition is filled with more top performers - Virginia, No. 19/18 Oklahoma State, Syracuse, UMass and Oregon State, who all rank highly in their respective regions.
Also of note, there are three opponents on the Bulldogs' schedule this year that made the 2010 Women's College World Series and Fresno State has already beat then-No. 8 Missouri 6-3 in last weekend's San Diego Classic I. The other two schools are No. 7 Washington and No. 10 Hawai'i.
You can follow all the action from Cathedral City through a recently upgraded Gametracker and game recaps at www.gobulldogs.com.
Bulldog Softball Season Ticket Information
• BUY SEASON TICKETS
Softball season tickets are available for as low as $39 for youth/senior in general admission areas, $65 for adult general admission, $78 for upper reserved seating and $130 for lower box seating. This represents an affordable price reduction from previous seasons and gives Bulldog fans significant savings when compared to the single game ticket price.
Fans can purchase season tickets by logging on to www.gobulldogs.com, calling 559-278-DOGS or by visiting the Bulldog Ticket Office.
"We Are Your Team!" --- Fresno State takes to the road for the next month and returns to Bulldog Diamond on March 10 when the Dogs host the 2011 Bayer CropScience Classic.
