Aubree Munro is one of three Florida Gator alums on Team USA who will return to their alma mater on February 11 to play in an exhibition game as part of the Stand Beside Her tour. Photo by USA Softball.
The Stand Beside Her tour continues to grow, even as it kicks off in less than a month. with two new stops in Florida against college teams—including one Team USA Head Coach Ken Eriksen knows very well!
Here’s more details on the newly announced sites and games…
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UNIV. of SOUTH FLORIDA
The 2020 USA Softball Women’s National Team (WNT) will begin the “Stand Beside Her” tour in Tampa, Fla. for an exhibition matchup against the University of South Florida (USF) on February 4 as the team begins preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Hosted by the City of Tampa Parks and Recreation Department, USF and the Children’s Athletic Network and Dance Opportunities, Inc (CANDO, INC), the Tampa tour stop will mark a homecoming for 2020 WNT Head Coach Ken Eriksen, who is stepping away from his role as Head Coach at USF as he leads the Red, White and Blue in their training throughout the tour.
“What an incredible once in a lifetime opportunity for our community to see the number one softball team in the world in our backyard,” said Eriksen. “
Coach Ken Eriksen
A special thanks goes to the leadership of Jessica Perez with the CANDO, INC team, Heather Wolf-Erickson, the Athletics, Aquatics, and Special Facilities Manager for the City of Tampa and a USF alum, and USF Athletic Director Michael Kelly for coming together to make this happen for the City of Tampa, Hillsborough County, and the University of South Florida.
The ‘Stand Beside Her’ tour is a statement not just for Team USA, but for every female that pursues a dream of excellence whether it’s in sport or other endeavors.”
Played at USF Softball Stadium (12499 USF Bull Run Drive, Tampa, Fla. 33617), fans will have the opportunity to watch the Red, White and Blue compete against USF at 6:30 p.m. ET.
With proceeds for the game benefiting youth softball through the Tampa Parks and Recreation Department, tickets for the game went on sale January 8 through USFBullstix.com. Tickets will be $22 if purchased in advance and will be available at the ticket office for $25 on game day.
UNIV. of FLORIDA
A week later, Team USA will face off against the University of Florida on February 11, as Gator alums Michelle Moultrie (Jacksonville, Fla.), Aubree Munro (Brea, Calif.) and Kelsey Stewart (Wichita, Kan.) will return to their alma mater for the first time since graduating from the program after storied careers.
Michelle Moultrie
“It will be such an honor to go back and play at the University of Florida,” said Moultrie, a 2012 Florida graduate. “I’m excited to experience my UF family and my USA family both at the same time. There are so many great people in Gainesville that have impacted my life and I can’t wait to see everyone at the tour stop!”
Aubree Munro
“I’m so excited to come home to play in front of Gator Nation in the new stadium,” Munro, a 2016 Florida graduate, added. “I’m so grateful for the support from my Gator family over the years, playing at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium will feel like coming home. I can’t wait!”
Kelsey Stewart
“My excitement to play back at the best University in the country is unreal,” said Stewart, also a 2016 Florida grad. “I never thought I would be back to play in the brand-new stadium. What an honor and privilege it is to be able to be back in my favorite stadium in college softball playing for my country. I also get to play against one of the best coaches in the world who helped shape me into the player and woman I am today. It’ll be fun to play against Coach Walton, someone who knows all my strengths and weaknesses. I can’t wait.”
The U.S. will square off against the Gators in a 6 p.m. ET solo contest at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium (2880 Hull Rd, Gainesville, Fla., 32608). Tickets for the game will go on sale January 15 and can be purchased at FloridaGators.com. General admission tickets start at $5 for berm/plaza seating with left field line seating for $15, dugout seating for $20 and home plate seats for $30.
Tim Walton
“I’m excited to welcome Team USA and former Gator greats Michelle Moultrie, Aubree Munro, and Kelsey Stewart to Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium,” said Florida Head Coach, Tim Walton. “Michelle, Aubree and Kelsey have given so much to our program throughout the years as players and have worked so hard for this opportunity to represent Team USA at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. I can’t think of a better way to send them off than to give them the chance to play in front of Gator Nation here on this field at KSP Stadium one more time. Also, we’re honored to have the opportunity to compete against Team USA and help them prepare for their quest for another Olympic Gold Medal.”
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The “Stand Beside Her” tour is a series of competitions and The “Stand Beside Her” message encourages fans everywhere to stand united in their support of the WNT and the United States in their journey to the Olympic Games.
The tour will kick off in February with the USA squad competing in a pair of prestigious college tournaments and run through the summer right up to the start of the Tokyo games.
The 2020 USA Softball Women’s National Team (WNT) has announced over the last few months several additional stops on its Stand Beside Her Tour featuring a series of competitions and training opportunities for the 2020 USA Softball Women’s National Team (WNT) as it prepares for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Olympic competition will start July 22, 2020 with the Gold Medal Game being played on July 28.
As created and first announced in August by USA Softball, the Stand Beside Her tour “evokes a powerful message of unity aimed to inspire communities to stand beside HER – the members of the WNT, America and the future generation of female athletes.”
Currently there are 31 stops on the tour hitting 17 states and extending from February 4 to June 25 prior to this summer’s Olympic Games.
Stand Beside Her Tour Stops (as of Jan. 10, 2020)
Click on the links to get info on how to purchase tickets and where the games will be played…
The tour will kick off in February with the USA squad competing in a pair of prestigious college tournaments and run through the summer right up to the start of the Tokyo games.
