RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
In two weeks–starting Oct. 11, 2021–the final 2022 Extra Elite 100 rankings will begin and will conclude shortly before the Fall Signing Period begins.
[Note. there’s method to the madness as college SIDs use these rankings for their signing releases so club coaches: email your nominations ASAP to [email protected].]
The Signing Period is a realization of a lifelong dream for so many and the 2022 class has the additional exciting experience of taking official campus visits this Fall. One who just took her SEC campus trip last weekend was Sam Roe, the talented catcher who plays in the Birmingham Thunderbolts organization and committed several years ago—the first in her class!
Sam was also featured last year by her local ABC affiliate for Northwest Florida and South Alabama in a video interview when she was honored as the top player in the 2022’s.
Here’s the senior athlete’s recap of what she did on her visit and why it meant so much to her…
*****
On September 22nd, 2017, I verbally committed to play softball for the University of Florida as an 8th grader.
Yes, I was 13 years old deciding where I wanted to go to college and I was the first 2022 to commit to play softball at a D1 collegiate level. It was a day I will never forget!
Here I am, four years later with the same excitement and joy as I had as the day I said “yes” to becoming a Florida Gator.
As you can probably tell I am beyond happy with my decision. Since the day I committed, I have been dreaming about getting to put on their iconic Orange and Blue uniforms.
Last weekend—Friday, Sept. 17 through Sunday, Sept. 19—was my official visit and my dreams became a reality.
It was a five-hour drive that felt like days because of how excited I was to arrive. My parents and older brother, Samuel, came with me and we all felt special when we arrived and were greeted by the Florida coaches and my future teammates.
It was emotional and it was perfect!
The Florida softball coaches — Tim Walton, Aric Thomas and Mike Bosch — were amazing and I had plenty of time to ask them questions about my future as a part of the Gator softball community.
For example, one thing I was worried about was keeping up with practices and my school work; they showed me the incredible tutoring facilities and put my mind at ease.
During my visit, I got the opportunity to hang with my future roommates—Kaila Pollard and Olivia Gigante. The three of us got to know some of the players currently playing at UF.
Saturday morning before the Alabama versus Florida football game on Saturday, the players/hosts took us around and showed us the dorm rooms and gave us some ideas of things to bring with us.
I really loved the way Cali Decker decorated her room—her wall hanging and LED lights were so cute! To me, hanging out with the players was was kind of like being with celebrities!
When it was time to go to the game, Coach Walton came and picked us up from the dorms… he then said he had a surprise for us.
He personally took us onto the sidelines of the games and it was just us… his three future Gator softball players. It was an exciting game of two Top 10 teams in the country and the Gators just fell short, 31-29, to the #1-ranked Crimson Tide.
Looking back, my official campus visit to Florida will be a memory that will never be forgotten!
I have been watching this Gator softball program on TV for as long as I can remember. Knowing I am only a year away from getting the opportunity to play on the same field as them gives me butterflies.
However, the players and coaches immediately made me feel like I was part of the team and the Gator family.
I’m so excited to call Gainesville home and can’t wait to learn from the best coaches in the country, and the amazing girls I’ll get to call my teammates!
Go Gators!
Sam Roe
Class of 2022