RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
Throughout her playing career and recruiting journey, both Allison Amadio and her family believed that the Lord would put her right where she belongs, no matter the timing and despite one uncontrollable variable that led to some counting against her, Allison’s 5 feet 2.5 inch height.
Despite the doubters, the senior catcher and utility player at Cedar Creek High in New Jersey committed to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights to play in the Big Ten next year.
Living in The Garden State, the athlete has travelled regularly the 700 miles-plus distance to compete for the Carolina Elite organization out of Greenville, S.C., for the last two years and this past Fall aged up to the Carolina Elite 18U Genovese National team.
Thanks to dedicated youth, club and high school coaches along her path to play Power 5 softball, coach Mariealena D’Agostino set the early foundation for Amadio’s softball career as “Coach Dags” pushed the then seven-year-old to work hard and instilled in Allison the relentless pursuit of excellence.
In 2019, Amadio’s small-town All-Star team traveled to Florida to compete in—and win—the Babe Ruth League Softball World Series. At the end of that season, Allison and her family decided it was time to take the next step in their softball journey and moved into travel ball.
Their search for a travel team ultimately led to John Biasi, an experienced coach with a renowned organization in the New Jersey region.
After a good tryout, Biasi decided to take in the young athlete because of her positive attitude and catching skills, although she didn’t exactly fit his typically desired size. However, by competing for Coach Biasi for a few years, going to hitting lessons and playing with multiple age groups in the organization, Allison soon felt at home with the NJ Gators.
Sadly, however, that sense of belonging ended when Biasi passed away abruptly, heavily impacting all the players of the organization including Allison. To her, the coach was a welcomed light, guiding her through the early stages of her recruiting process, but when that light was extinguished, things got really dark.
“Losing Coach John was the darkest part of my softball career,” Alison remembers, “and it felt like the opportunity to play at the next level had disappeared.”
That is, until she met coach Dana Fusetti with the Carolina Elite 16U National Team.
In December 2021, Fusetti reached out to Allison and invited her to join the successful club program. Being from New Jersey, the athlete’s playing in South Carolina would be a big commitment, but Allison believed it would be worth the time and travel.
“To be our best,” the high school senior stated, “we need to play with and against the best competition we can find. Accepting Coach Dana’s invitation changed my life, and I wouldn’t have been able to reach this level without her.”
Allison recalls Fusetti sacrificing time with her own family to help the players and team succeed.
“Coach Dana is extremely dedicated to her players in helping them achieve their dreams and we as a family couldn’t be more grateful.”
Still, it wouldn’t be an easy process to reach the top of the mountain.
“Allison has had so many nay-sayers,” Coach Fusetti, says “but I loved how she never gave up because of her work ethic, dedication and passion for the sport. She was not going to let her size be a deterrent but, instead, she used it as motivation.”
Amadio visited many colleges for camps and to check out the campuses, but ultimately was convinced that one school was the best fit for. her
“Once I got on the Rutgers campus,” she recalls, “I instantly felt the click between the coaching staff, the school, and me.”
The strong bond between club coach and player led to Fusetti making sure to be in person to see Amadio ink her letter of intent at her college signing party.
“I was so proud of her accomplishments,” Fusetti beams, “that I drove to her signing all the way in New Jersey and basically did a ‘turn and burn,’ spending more than 24 hours on the road. The recruiting process can be taxing for players and their coaches, but the reward is very much worth it. and Allison embodies that success.”
With input and support from her Carolina Elite coaches Fusetti, Tony Genovese and Dave Majeski—who played a key role as he championed Allison to Scarlet Knights assistant coach Natalie Yonan at a tournament in Clearwater, Fla.—Allison signed her NLI on December 19, 2023.
What advice does the Big Ten-bound athlete have for young players hoping to achieve their dreams to also compete at the collegiate level?
“Thank everyone for their time,” Allison says, “as people are going out of their way to help you improve and grow. It means a lot to say, ‘Thank you’ and show your sincere appreciation.”
“Next, I would say to work with intent—don’t just go through the motions—whether it be sports on in school (academics).”
Amadio practices what she preaches, compiling a stellar GPA of 101.98 in the classroom.
Beyond her softball career, Allison has goals to one day work in the Aerospace or Sports Technology industries after receiving a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
“I’ve had a passion for engineering for quite some time now and I’ve always wanted to find a way to combine my love of sports with my love of engineering and STEM.”
The scholar-athlete also participates in the Cedar Creek Engineering Magnet Program at her high school and has earned many other academic accolades.
“I’ve worked hard at every level I’ve played at so far and have every intention of doing it at Rutgers,” she adds. “I am excited to represent Rutgers University through their softball and engineering programs. Go Knights.”
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