Maddi Stahulak prepares to swing Maddi Stahulak
Senior Outfielder, Maddi Stahulak for Saint Xavier University’s Women’s Softball team had already found her passion for softball at the age of four years old when she started playing t-ball in her hometown in Manhattan, IL.
Later, at nine years old, Stahulak started playing 10U travel softball.Stahulak credit’s her father for introducing her to softball, as she would mention him multiple times throughout the interview as dedication.
“My dad had played baseball all his life and wanted me to follow in his footsteps,” she says.
Stuhlak attended Lincoln-Way West during her time in high school, where she would still play 10U travel softball. She participated in other sports such as basketball and volleyball, but when COVID-19 struck, it shut down everything. Even Stahulak’s passion for softball.
“There was a point in my life where I thought I didn’t want to play softball again, but [I] switched travel teams and [it] made me realize why I loved this sport,” said Stahulak
This decision sewed well and gave Stahulak an opportunity to regain the love she had for softball. AfterStahulak graduated high school, she then went on to attend Saint Xavier University where she was scouted to play on their women’s softball team as a student.
Stahulak referred to the privilege of playing softball in college as one of her biggest accomplishments. Due to the small margin of athletes that get to compete and a collegiate level.
“Saint Xavier has allowed me to fulfill those dreams, while being able to earn a degree in a career that I love,” mentions Stuhlak..
Stahulak has a passion for a very difficult sport, the steadfast tempo of softball can alter the game. Stahulak talked about the necessity of having a sharp mind.
“Softball is a game of failure and that’s hard for people to deal with. Even the most amazing players fail more than they succeed,” Stuhlak explains.
Stahulak also added on top of the mental aspect, the physically tasking part of softball also needs just as much attention.“Softball requires a lot of physical strength, stamina, and agility,” she comments..
Knowing how softball can deal a blow on an athlete, everyone needs someone to lean on. For Stahulak, it is her father and her three siblings.
“My three [siblings] inspire me to work hard and do great things everyday to be a good role model for them,” she says.
Stuhlak’s family has pushed her to continue with playing softball, as since playing the sport, they’ve seen an impact on her for the better. This includes gaining life skills that have remained with her and teammates who’ve become her best friends.
“Whether I was leading a team or just playing my role, softball has boosted my confidence in my abilities and decision-making skills,” said Stahulak.
As Stahulak enters her last year of collegiate softball, she has walked the path of a college athlete and knows the ins and outs of what it takes to be a standout college athlete.
Stahulak talks about being able to be balanced and disciplined enough to mesh the academic and athletic sides of a college-level athlete.
“Being a college athlete, you have to balance your academic schedule on top of the demands of practices, games, team lifts, and additional practices,” she explains..
Although Stahulak said she would not want to continue with softball after college, she did bring up an interest with coaching. In the meantime, until the day comes where Stahulak’s collegiate career ends, she is adamant on continuing to work hard and follow in the footsteps of her father.
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