Athlete/Coach Interviews are posted every Thursday/Monday for recruiting advice, what to look for, and more.

Today I sat down to speak with Allie Skaggs, freshman softball player at the University of Arizona. Skaggs just came off a great freshman season, starting in 16 games at second base and having a batting average of .545 to go along with 5 home runs and 3 RBIs. Skaggs was heavily recruited out of high school, ranking #13 in the nation by Extra Innings Softball. She was also nNamed the 2019 Gatorade Kentucky Player of the Year and the 2018 and 2019 Courier Journal Softball Player of the Year in high school. In today's interview, I spoke with Allie about her love of the game and how her interest in content creation has led to her passion and future goal of being a content creator for a sports team. 

Allie started playing softball when she was only 5 years old. Because she fell in love with softball at such a young age, it is all she has ever known. As she got older and started playing at a serious level, she began to really enjoy the challenge of the game and mademaking it a priority to get better everyday. 

How big of a jump was playing softball in high school to playing in college?

It is definitely a bigger commitment playing in college than in high school. Although, I did play for a high school that had us working out and conditioning every day of the week and practicing for several hours each day, so I was prepared. It is nice playing in college though because we get 

to choose our class schedule, so having more off time to recover is one of my favorite things.

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What are some differences between the two?

There are several key differences between high school and college sports, mainly with the facilities. The weight rooms are larger and can fit several teams at one time, which is really convenient. It is also really hard to beat Rita Hillenbrand Stadium, where we play all of our home games. I would say you get much more time to yourself in college, which is different from spending hours in class all day in high school then going straight to practice. Relationships between teammates are really similar because you are around each other so often and can establish great friendships that will extend way beyond your career. 

What made you choose your major?

I am a Broadcast Journalism major, and I chose this because I love to record and edit video content. I took a few years of a video editing course in high school which is how I fell in love with content creation. Once I realized I could make a career out of video production, I decided to pursue this major.

How have sports molded you as a person?

Sports have deeply influenced the person I am today. They have taught me how to cooperate with others, how to deal with failure, and how to respect everyone I work with. I would not be the same person I am today without softball.

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Have you had any experience in sports journalism/broadcasting

Similar to my answer from before, I took a few years of a broadcasting class in high school so I was exposed to that there. Every day at the softball field I get to watch our SID (sports information director) record content for our social media pages, so I am getting an idea for what I will be doing if I choose to pursue a career in that field. 

Have any doors/opportunities been opened to you as a student-athlete that otherwise would not have?

It is definitely nice being a student athlete because the staff at the university is so interested in your success and helping you find your way once you no longer play your sport. I have been talking with our media department here and there trying to get my foot in the door, and I am hoping to work as an intern with them in the near future. 

After your college softball career, Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I could definitely see myself becoming a digital content creator for a collegiate sports team. I am not sure where I will be physically, but my goal would be to be working with a well known school that has a large social media presence. 

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What characteristics do you have as a softball player that can also transfer over to a professional career? 

I have a large amount of respect for both my teammates and coaches, which is one main thing that should be carried over into a job. I am responsible and can work well alone or with others. I will also never stop trying to get better. My goal is to become the best version of myself, whether that is as an athlete or a worker. 

What has been the hardest part of being a D1 softball player?

The hardest part of being a D1 softball player is handling failure and being exposed to it more than we ever have. Because D1 sports have such a large following, it sometimes feels like all eyes are on you. I have tried to get better at stepping back and realizing not all eyes are on me and that it is the same game I've played my whole life. You can fail many times in this sport and still be considered great. It's all about perspective.

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What is your best advice for softball recruits and student-athletes who want to go into a career in sports after graduating?

Stay humble, but stay confident. There will be many things that try to bring you down or lift you up, but it is important to stay level headed. You can be humbled very quickly in the sports world, so staying positive and level is key to success.

Have a story idea or know an awesome athlete/coach we should interview? Email us at [email protected]

* Originally published on May 10, 2022, by Mary Archibald