Players earn scholarships at Softball Showcase
Sunflower Bank and the American Fastpitch Association (AFA) awarded college scholarships to 10 senior girls softball players at the Sunflower Bank Softball Showcase Kick-Off Banquet on Friday, August 10.
Lindsey Parr of Louisburg, Kan., and Christine Zerbe of Topeka, Kan., each received a grand-prize $500 scholarship as winners of an essay contest in conjunction with the showcase, and eight runners-up earned $200 scholarships: Tiffany Burget (Hoyt, Kan.), Taylor Cantillon (St. Mary’s, Kan.), Alicia Coverdale (Holton, Kan.), Molly Flickner (McPherson, Kan.), Tiffany Gabel (Topeka, Kan.), Hope Robinson (Parsons, Kan.), Brelynn Schloo (Salina, Kan.), and Kayla Vosburg (Wichita, Kan.).
More than 170 girls attended Sunflower Bank’s ninth annual Softball Showcase on August 10 and 11, sanctioned by the Kansas AFA. The showcase continues to be a one-of-a-kind event – a chance for players to perform in front of more than 20 college coaches in hopes of earning a scholarship.
During the kick-off banquet, all players and families have a chance to visit with all college coaches in attendance – the Friday night event attracting coaches from most community college, Div. II, and Div. III schools in Kansas.
On Saturday, the girls play three games with respective teams, coached by a college softball coach. The round-robin tournament is a chance for players to test themselves against incoming seniors from all over the state, with teaching and improving as the focus. In nine years, the showcase has grown into a premier softball recruiting event in Kansas – and several girls each year have earned scholarships as a result of contacts made at the showcase. In addition, proceeds from the Softball Showcase are donated to the Salina Education Foundation.
“These scholarships are a testament to the work ethic and talent of the players,” said Ed Kimminau, director of the Kansas AFA. “It’s a treat to meet and work with all of these players, and we’re extremely proud of the winners, and all players in attendance. It’s truly a great event for the sport of softball.”
Sunflower Bank and AFA selected two grand-prize scholarship winners and runners-up from a pool of 75 essay entries, submitted by choice upon entry into the Showcase in July. Each girl was given the opportunity to explain what role softball plays in their current life and in their future goals.
“With the showcase, we hope to bring out the best in these young athletes and assist each of them as they pursue their dreams of playing collegiate softball,” said Phyllis Pickel, Executive Vice President of Marketing at Sunflower Bank. “It’s a great event for the girls, their families, the Salina community and the state of Kansas.”
Next year, Sunflower Bank’s Softball Showcase will celebrate its 10th installment – the kick-off banquet is scheduled for Friday, August 8 at Salina South High School and the round-robin tournament is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 9 at Bill Burke Field.
Pictured (from left): AFA Kansas Director Ed Kimminau, Cantillon, Robinson, Vosburg, Parr, Coverdale, Flickner, Schloo, Gabel, Burget, Zerbe, and Sunflower Bank Vice President Cheryl Campbell.
