RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
Andee Dircks had an excellent year both at the high school and club level and, playing for former Michigan great Megan Betsa, you may assume that when the senior standout committed to the Wolverine program recently, it was largely because her coach influenced her to go there.
If that’s your assumption, you’d be wrong.
Andee, who was ranked last month as the #8 third baseman and in the Top 20 overall of the 2024 Extra Elite 100 (click HERE to access), loved playing for Coach Betsa this summer, but makes it clear she made her Maize & Blue decision all on her own.
“Coach Megan actually did not influence me to go there at all,” Andee told Extra Inning Softball correspondent Joy Roeder. “She told me she would have been happy wherever I would have ended up. I chose Michigan because as soon as I got to Ann Arbor I felt at home and, after I was there for a couple days, I knew Michigan was where I was supposed to be.”
I’m so excited to announce that I have decided to further my academic and athletic career at the University of Michigan. I wanted to thank my family, coaches, and everyone else who has always supported me. I’m so excited to be a wolverine! GO BLUE! 〽️💙💛 @umichsoftball pic.twitter.com/fPKMbXJe0P
— Andee Dircks (@Andee_Dircks) September 23, 2022
In her Extra Elite 100 player bio, it mentioned that the infielder was “a finalist for South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year (as) she hit .538 with a .625 on-base percentage and a 1.799 OPS for Chapin (S.C.) High and totaled 42 hits including 13 home runs with 38 RBIs and 40 runs scored.”
Those numbers impress no matter where you’re from and, not surprisingly, Coach Betsa is a big fan of the high schooler headed to her alma mater.
“We are extremely proud of Andee,” the former Michigan three-time All-American and two-time Big Ten Pitcher of the Year (2015, ’16) begins, “not only for her commitment to play softball at the University of Michigan, but for all of the hard work she has done to get to this point.”
“It would take a lot of convincing for anyone to tell me there is a kid that works harder than Andee does on a daily basis. Her consistency and her discipline to the grind of being the best is unlike anything we have seen at her age. This kid has earned every single accolade, timely hit, college offer, and anything else you want to throw in there.”
“Not only is she an amazing athlete, but she’s a great human above all. She excels at being a leader and bringing others with her to that next level of success. And she does it with a quiet confidence and so humbly. Our team is better because we have a person and an athlete such as Andee always raising the standard of excellence.”
Then Coach Betsa gives a verbal thumbs up to her player who looks to also make a big imprint in Ann Arbor.
“Being a graduate from the University of Michigan, I know what it takes to be a Michigan woman and it’s so cool to see some of those qualities and characteristics already exist in Andee. Michigan got a great one when they got Andee on board.”
Here’s more on the senior…
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What or who influenced you to play softball?
My parents influenced me to play softball when I was about 7 years old and as soon as I started playing T-ball I just fell in love with the game. Ever since I was young my dad was always the person to drive me to the batting cages or take me out to the field any time I wanted to. He’s always encouraged me to be better since a young age and I’m very thankful for that because I probably wouldn’t be the athlete I am today without him.
What organizations have you played for through the years?
From 8-10U I played for the NJ Flames coached by Rob Plath, from 12-14u I played for the Renegades also coached by Rob Plath, last year of 14U I played for LLG Kirkland once I moved to South Carolina, and from 16u-18u I, playing for the Lady Dukes national coached by Megan Betsa.
At what age did you realize you might be able to play at the collegiate level?
Honestly, in 10U I realized how I was actually capable of playing at the highest level—I have always wanted to get there but I never knew if I’d ever be good enough. Before 16U it was always my goal to get there and its mainly the thing that always pushed me to work harder and become better, but in the past year or so it finally became a reality that I’d be able to play at the highest level.
How many schools reached out to you and how many did your seriously consider?
There were five Power 5’s and two other D1’s reached out to me on September 1st. I considered all of them but I only ended up going on visits to three and those three happened to be my top schools.
What made Michigan stand out to you?
The team culture and the coaches really stood out the most to me. As soon as I met (Head) Coach Bonnie (Tholl) at the airport, she was already treating me like one of her own. Even after our first phone call on September 1st, I knew that Michigan was going to be a great place with amazing people. The whole team is also amazing, everyone there is a great athlete, but they are even better people. Overall, I just felt like I was at home when I got to Michigan and I knew that was the place I belonged.
What are you most looking forward to about playing at the next level?
I’m most looking forward to working to become the best athlete I can be and the competition that we will be facing.
What advice would you give your younger self or young ball players who have dreams of playing in college?
Never give up, no matter what you are doing, always stick with it even if it’s very hard. The only way you can get better is if you push yourself outside of your comfort zone.
Who is your favorite pro and/or collegiate player?
I actually don’t have a favorite player, I love watching any softball game that’s on and I don’t have a preference who it is.
What is your favorite non softball activity?
I love hiking and spending time outdoors but other than that I also enjoy reading and spending time with my friends.
Who are your role models or people you look up to and why do you look up to them?
When I was little, I always looked up to Lauren Chamberlain because I just always wanted to hit like her and, one day, I wanted to be her in college.
What do you want to study in college?
Either Biology or Kinesiology.
What do you want to be remembered for when your softball career is done?
I would like to be remembered as the teammate that was always there for everyone and will always be someone they can count on.