GatorMoms.NET - Jenny Gladding: An Inside View of the 2008 UF Softball Team's Historic Year!

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Jenny Gladding: An Inside View of the 2008 UF Softball Team's Historic Year!

As many of you Gator fans know, the UF women’s 2008 softball season was an exciting and historic one. The lady Gators won the SEC, set a new college women’s softball record with the most wins in a season (70!), and went to the college world series for the first time in UF history! Although they were just one game short of qualifying for the final match-up in the world series the team’s talent, drive, commitment and hard work will always be remembered. It is also something to look forward to as the team will only be losing one key member of the squad, Mary Ratliff. It’s likely the more experienced and mature group will only be better in the coming season, so be prepared for added great things from these gals.

One of the key factors contributing to this softball program’s success is the coaching staff. Head Coach, Tim Walton and UF softball assistant coaches Jenny Gladding (Infield Coach) and Jennifer Rocha (Pitching Coach) were recently named the SEC Coaching Staff of the Year with Walton also being named the SEC Softball coach of the year.

I had the pleasure of getting an inside view of this year’s UF softball achievements. Jenny Gladding, UF’s highly talented infield coach and former University of Florida softball pitcher, generously agreed to share her insight.

GatorMoms.NET: Would you share with the readers at GatorMoms.NET your background?

Jenny Gladding: I started playing softball when I was 5 years old. I started with tee-ball and worked my way up through little league. When I turned 12 there weren’t enough girls to play little league so some of the dads got together and started a travel team. That is when I decided to become a pitcher. I would pitch the toughest games because I was the slowest pitcher, and I would throw off the other teams. After awhile that started to embarrass me, so my dad and I decided to give it a year and work as hard as we could to become the best pitcher ever. One year turned into another and another. I went to Martin County High School, where as a freshman I help our team to a State Championship. I came out of high school as a two time high school All-American. I decided to go play college at the University of Arizona. They were the best in the country and if you went there you were pretty much guaranteed a National Championship. My freshman year at Arizona we did win the National Championship and the following year we played in the National Championship game but fell short placing second in the country. After that season, I decided I just didn’t want to be that far from home any longer. I just wasn’t happy, so I decided to transfer to Florida. I finished my last two years as a Gator (How lucky am I). When I graduated I accepted a job at a sports complex called Champions Sports Complex in Orlando, FL. I worked there for a year before I took the job as head softball coach at Palm Beach Atlantic in West Palm Beach, Florida. It is a small Division 2 school. Finally, after Florida underwent a coaching change, I was asked to be the assistant coach here. I am going on my third season as assistant coach at UF.

GM: How long was your personal career in softball prior to becoming a coach, and who did you play for?

JG: I have been playing since I was five for many teams and coaches. I played at Martin County High School for Lori Miller. I played travel ball with the Martin County Fillies coached by Dale Atkinson, Dave Gladding (my dad), Freddy Rein, and Frank Balsamo. Then I played for the Clearwater Bombers coached by Dave Hazzard and my dad. In college I played for Mike Candrea at Arizona and Karen Johns at the University of Florida.

GM: How long have you been coaching women’s softball?

JG: I’m going on my 4th year of coaching women’s softball at the collegiate level.

GM: When did you come to UF and what brought you here?

JG: I came to UF as a junior in college. I always wanted to be a Gator. I just took the long way around. When I got the opportunity to coach at Florida is was a no-brainer. From the moment I went to school here it was a dream of mine to coach at UF.

GM: What exactly is your role as an Assistant Coach?

JG: As assistant coach I am in charge of the infielders. I also plan much of the travel during the season. I recruit throughout the year, and I do everyday functions in the office to prepare for upcoming games.

GM: Wow, what a year. It is my understanding that the UF Women’s Softball team broke all sorts of records this year most notably the record for all time wins by a college women’s softball team, crushing the previous record of 66 season wins with a new record of 70 season wins. Is this correct?

JG: That is correct. It was just such an amazing year. We had so much fun. The group of girls we had were so incredible both on and off the field. They made it a pleasure to come to the field everyday. They really touched many people with their poise, determination, and overall likableness. We didn’t have any prima donnas, they all really worked together to reach their common goal of going to the college world series.

GM: This was also the first time the UF softball team qualified to go to the Women’s College World Series, right?

JG: That is right. Last year we were one game away from going to the College World Series.

GM: Share with us what was different about this year from seasons past. What factored into the historic year the team had? Were there different dynamics to the team? Did you train differently? Was there a different coaching style? Was the attitude and motivation to win amongst the players greater?

JG: I think all of those things you mentioned did factor into our season. This year the team really came out wanting to prove something. We took the underdog mentality. We knew we would have to out work harder than other teams and stay consistent on a regular basis. I don’t think there was a difference in coaching styles from year to year, I think the girls finally believed in the system and believed in each other.

GM: How did the team stay motivated to win through all of the games that were played?

JG: I really think they kept the goal in mind of going to the World Series. This was there driving force. They played for each other and they played to win.

GM: What was the level of team cohesiveness, camaraderie and communication like, and would you say this played a major role in the team’s success?

JG: That is truly what allowed us to go to the World Series. This team really became one.

GM: Going into the College World Series as the top seed was a great honor. What happened in that first game loss against unseated Louisiana? Did your game plan change after that loss knowing you could not afford any more losses if you were going to make it to the final match-up?

JG: It was an upset to loose the first game but none of the girls on the team thought about us only being one game from elimination. They really looked at it as, “Now we have to go to work.” Our game plan didn’t change at all. What we had been doing up to that point had worked and we didn’t want to cause panic in the girls by changing things especially in the World Series. We just stuck with our game plan and went to the next game.

GM: Although the Lady Gators didn’t make it to the College World Series finals the feeling of such great accomplishment still has to be exhilarating. How would you describe the team’s demeanor shortly after the loss and what it is now after they have had time to reflect on the past season? JG: Of course the team was disappointed but they really did feel a sense of accomplishment. They had the best season that the University of Florida ever had. I really think that it inspired a lot of the girls and hopefully put more fire under them to come out and prove themselves again next year.

GM: What is the outlook like for next year? The team is only losing one senior, Mary Ratliff, how will her loss affect the team? Have you started entertaining new recruits?
JG: Mary Ratliff graduating will affect the dynamics of this team. She in some sorts was the glue that held the team together. She was definitely a role model to the younger girls and brought a lot more to the team then just on the field things. She was a huge mentor off the field being very involved in Good Will Gators and she was also on the Student Advisory Board (SAC). It was this balance that made the team so well rounded.

GM: It seems like softball is becoming a more mainstream sport for young girls with the encouragement of females to participate more in athletic venues. I would think this would enhance the pool of highly skilled recruits. Where does UF find most of their softball recruits? What’s the outlook like for recruiting in the state of Florida?
JG: We find our recruits everywhere. We recruit in state and out of state. Florida has become so strong in softball that we are able to do much of our recruiting right in our back yard.

GM: I know that UF has an excellent pitcher, Stacey Nelson, coming back next year with a very talented back-up, Stephanie Brombacher. Will UF be seeking to add to their depth at the pitcher position this recruiting season?

JG: We aren’t bringing in any other pitchers in the ’08 season. We have tremendous confidence in our pitching staff for the upcoming season.

GM: Obviously, Tim Walton and his staff have brought softball to another level at UF. Would you share with us your thoughts about Coach Walton, and what it is about him that has propelled his team to such great achievement?

JG: Tim has been an incredible person to work under. He is very determined and always looking for a way to get better. He will never settle for anything but the best. He serves as a father figure to the girls but also someone who is there to push each and every player to become better. He instills in the girl’s minds that there is always room to improve. Not only is he a great coach on the field but her is a great person off the field. He has a beautiful family and is a great father to his three kids. He is able to have a great balance between his personal life and his work.

GM: In closing, would you share with young aspiring softball players and their parents how they should go about getting involved on a softball team, how they should train, what should be their attitude toward the sport, and how they can attain a successful softball career?

JG: I would tell any young girl who is aspiring to be a softball player to come out to some UF games. If that doesn’t excite them about the sport than maybe it is not for them. To get involved with softball you should look for leagues run by your local county or see if there are any travel teams in your area. You could also go to some camps held by colleges. To reach the top level of any sport it takes very hard work. It is also a huge commitment of time. There is nothing more rewarding than putting on the uniform and representing your college.

GM: Jenny, thanks so much for your time and candor. Good luck to you and the rest of team in the upcoming season. We’ll be anxiously waiting! Go Gators!!

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