UT Tyler softball is all about building and continuing a legacy.
Few know that better than head coach Mike Reed and graduate students Michelle Arias, Courtney Plocheck and Audrey Escamilla.
The first ingredient is success. This has always been a huge part of the philosophy at The University of Texas at Tyler and is what draws many players in during the recruiting process.
"The first thing that stood out to me was how successful they were," Arias said. "I knew I always wanted to be part of a winning program."
The foundation for this success began when Reed arrived on campus in 2003 to begin building a softball program that did not yet exist. He played a huge role in getting the program off the ground, even helping to design the stadium and the uniforms.
"I got to start the program from scratch, so that was a really neat experience," Reed said. "I felt like it was once in a lifetime."
After spending three years in a probationary period while Reed worked to get the program up and running, the team began to make a name for itself. By 2015, the Patriots had risen to Division III dominance, finishing as national runners-up and then returning in 2016 to win the NCAA Division III title. This success continued for the next two years, when the team made it to the national semifinal in 2017 and made another deep run in the tournament in 2018.
When all the pieces seemed to be in place for continued success at this level, the school decided to transition to Division II in 2018, beginning what would be yet another three-year probationary period in which the team was not eligible for postseason and championship competition.
While this presented a challenge for players and coaches alike, it was also an exciting time that they embraced. The team did not skip a beat and was able to continue improving. Reed believes this was largely because several of his national championship players decided to remain on the team despite no longer having the opportunity to work toward earning another national title.
"We had really thought that 2019 was our next national championship run in Division III, and we went to them and said, 'Hey, we're going to Division II,'" Reed said. "And they all stayed. I think that's probably one of the big pieces to where we are now."
One might wonder what would make a group of competitive and successful student-athletes stick around when they no longer had the chance to compete for a title, but for Reed and the other players on the 2024 roster, this is a no-brainer. It was, and still is, the culture.
"A lot of times when you change over or you have something new, you have to change culture," Reed said. "We were very fortunate that we had established a good culture."
Reed said a huge piece of that culture centers around things that occur off the field, such as preparing student-athletes for life after the sport.
This philosophy certainly resonates with his players, who have found the most value in the lessons they have learned, the relationships they have built and the opportunity to be part of something larger than themselves.
"I think the practices and just getting to be around your team so much are the highlights for me," Escamilla said. "Being around these people that are like your sisters and really enjoying the sport that you're playing with people that you love just makes it 10 times better."
"We're super close," Plocheck added. "I mean you can see it on the field … but it's an all-day thing. I think that really helps the softball side just because the chemistry, we trust each other. We trust the person in front of us, behind us … the closeness of us is really what brings the culture together."
As Arias, Escamilla and Plocheck were all members of the team during the transition period, this team culture was a huge part of what allowed them to be patient and keep their focus on laying a strong foundation for when their time in the spotlight finally came.
When it did, in 2022, the team was ready. And the Patriots haven't looked back since.
"It was awesome," Arias said of having the opportunity to compete on the national stage during her sophom*ore year. "We were able to display our talent, everything that we worked for. We put in so many hours, day in and day out. It's a lot of hard work and persistence. I'm glad that we were able to show it off and be able to show everyone what we were made of and make a name for ourselves."
Making a name for themselves meant making it to the NCAA Division II championship round in their first year of postseason eligibility at the Division II level.
But this was no stroke of luck. They returned to the NCAA championship round for the second consecutive year in 2023. And again in 2024. Now, this week at the NCAA Division II National Championships Festival, they are playing in the best-of-three national finals series for a chance at winning their first Division II title. They won the first game in the series against Western Washington on Friday.
"Competing for a national championship … it's a big thing," Arias said. "Not everyone gets to do it … this team is a great group of girls, and doing this with them means a lot, especially in my last year. I'm glad I get to share these memories with them. This is something that we will definitely remember for the rest of our lives."
The graduate student teammates say that being part of their first Division II festival has made the experience even more memorable and special.
"Just seeing all the other teams here … seeing that they've also worked this hard to get to here in their sport," Plocheck said. "Our tennis team also made it here, which is really exciting for our school."
"I love the atmosphere," Arias added. "Seeing all these different athletes from all the different sports … we all get to celebrate one another. That's what I feel like this is all about: celebrating the hard work that we have all put in together."
As this is the final year on the team for all three graduate students, they look forward to having one more chance to leave it all out on the field and continue to build the UT Tyler legacy. However, they recognize that their role in continuing to build this legacy is greater than simply hoisting an NCAA championship trophy. To honor all of those that came before them and made the program everything that it is, they hope that they have done their part to contribute to what makes UT Tyler softball so special.
"What makes this team great is our willingness to embrace the culture," Escamilla said. "You can set up the culture all you want, but if the girls don't come in and do it, then it doesn't mean anything. All the new people and all the people returning just willing to buy into the culture that we have is really special."
As for Reed, he looks forward to taking things one day at a time as he continues to build a legacy in a place that has played a significant role in his life. While he said he doesn't have many reflective moments, looking back on his time at UT Tyler might just be the exception.
"I'm just humbled that I got this started," he said. "To see what's been done just makes me proud of all the alumni and players that started it and made those sacrifices along the way. These players now don't necessarily know about those things, but we really try to keep reminding them that there was a lot of bridges built to get us here."
While they may have not been there to see it, they certainly feel it. And as they play for the national title, they will live it.
"It means a lot to be able to be here and experience all these historical things happening for our school," Escamilla said. "Not a lot of people get the opportunity that we have, especially me, Courtney and Michelle, to be here three times. It's crazy to think when you were younger, you never thought that you would be to this point … just actually getting to experience it is something like you've never imagined."
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