USSSA is in the press again! Great coverage on USSSA softball, here is a great report from the Courant:
Written by a Courant Reader
Bloomfield High School Athletic Director Tammy Schondelmayer was recently inducted into the New England United States Specialty Sports Association Hall of Fame at its annual banquet in Cromwell.
Schondelmayer joined the staff at Bloomfield High in 1994, following her graduation from Eastern Connecticut State University, where she was an All American softball player and Dean's list student. Her team won almost 80 percent of its games. Schondelmayer, a shortstop, led ECSU to the NCAA Division III National Championship in 1986. She was also a standout player in the semi-pro softball leagues.
In the spring and summer of 1995, Schondelmayer led the Connecticut Bombers women's softball team to a 33-12 season and the USSSA Triple Crown World Series Championship in Steamboat, Colorado. She was named to the all-tournament team and selected as the tournament's MVP.
In 2000, Eastern inducted Schondelmayer into the University's E-Club Hall of Fame stating: "No player in the 33-year history of the Eastern Connecticut State University fast-pitch softball program had started more games at shortstop than she had."
Many of Schondelmayer's records at Eastern still stand, including most career triples.
She smiles as she points out that her record of the "longest hitting streak" at Eastern – 18 consecutive games – was broken in 2012 by ECSU All American third baseman Arielle Cooper.
"Softball has been a major part of my life since I was in 5th grade," Schondelmayer said. "And it has provided many important lessons, both good and bad, and some of the most memorable experiences in my life. The teammates I have had over the years and the coaches I have played for have all had an influence on the person I am today. They have helped mold my philosophy about athletics, and that philosophy guides my management of the Bloomfield High School athletic department every day."
Schondelmayer's resume includes stints coaching soccer, basketball, softball and tennis at Hartford Public High School and Bloomfield High. As Bloomfield's athletic director the last 13 years, Schondelmayer supervises a sports department that has won 38 state championships in eight different sports. She has estimated that about 75 percent of BHS' honor students are athletes.
"Tammy Schondelmayer is an extremely valuable member of the Bloomfield High School team,'' said BHS Principal Sam Galloway. "Although our school is considered small in size, we are well known statewide due to the efforts of Tammy Schondelmayer in making our athletic program top notch".
About USSSA:
The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), headquartered in Osceola County, Florida, USSSA is the World’s Largest Multi-sport Athletic Organization. Founded in 1968, USSSA has grown to over 3.7 million participants, competing in 13 nationally sanctioned sports including Baseball, Fastpitch, Slow Pitch, Karate, Basketball, Soccer and more! For more information on USSSA and to register your team visit USSSA.com. Also be sure to visit USSSAToday.com for the latest USSSA News!
