Living in an environment where board shorts draw odd stares and the closest thing to surf is a 30 degree lake, some members of the Northwestern softball team still question whether it’s all a California dream.
But for the five freshmen making the journey to Evanston from the Golden State, getting used to life in the Midwest has been a challenge they have seemed to overcome. Since their arrival in September, the outsiders have acclimated themselves to people, places and customs that would seem foreign to anyone coming from the West Coast.
This week, Mother Nature gave the Wildcats (17-18, 5-3 Big Ten) another reminder that they were not in California anymore — Wednesday’s doubleheader against Loyola-Chicago was postponed due to torrential rains. Yet these freshmen knew what they were getting into before coming to NU.
“It’s definitely bizarre living and playing in such freezing weather,” said freshman outfielder Cindy Muran, a native of Newbury Park, Calif. “It’s a huge adjustment, but it is not something that holds me back from being here.”
The Cats coaching staff makes trips to California at least once a year and also attends invitational tournaments in Colorado and Nevada.
With the quantity of teams and quality of instruction available on the West Coast, it is no surprise that California is a gold mine for softball talent.
The sheer number of strong players in California makes it easier for coaches to pull them away from home. With substantially more Division I softball schools east of the Mississippi, many players look to go to schools beyond the Rockies after No. 2 Arizona and No. 3 UCLA fill their rosters.
Choosing a school is different for every player, NU coach Sharon Drysdale said. Having family near the university or knowing people who attended the school often affects the recruit’s decision.
“You really have to deal with them on an individual basis,” Drysdale said. “I think we’ve been fortunate to attract players from all over the country, regardless of the cost of the institution, the weather, academics and all those issues.”
Drysdale has consistently brought in West Coast players throughout her NU tenure due in part to the positive reputation the school has earned as older players talk to upcoming prospects. Citing the city of Chicago and the strength of Big Ten softball, NU’s location does not hurt recruiting, Drysdale said.
Freshman pitcher Lauren Schwendimann lived in Tustin, Calif., her entire life. Most of Schwendimann’s relatives still live in the area and her parents attended the same high school she did.
Although many people assumed she would stay in state for softball, Schwendimann left Southern California to experience a new environment.
“I was looking for a new experience outside of where I grew up and the Midwest was very attractive in that regard,” Schwendimann said. “I wanted independence, to have the chance to meet people from other areas and to be somewhere new where I could learn a lot about myself.”
The transition from the West Coast was made easier for the freshmen by having older teammates who experienced the same process.
California natives like senior shortstop Tami Jones were key in easing the adjustment to college life.
“They’ve been through it and have a lot of wisdom and experience they can share to help our freshmen in all aspects, both academically and athletically,” Drysdale said. “It’s an invaluable aid.”
Freshman outfielder Brett Nakabayashi agreed: “Earlier in the year I was talking to Tami and she told me, ‘I did it, so I know you can do it too.'”
Drysdale and the coaching staff have held true to form in recruiting all four corners of the country for next season. Currently the Cats are bringing in Karri Leto from El Cajon, Calif., Jennalyn Kira from Honolulu and Devyn Miller from Lake Wales, Fla.
As sophomores next year, the current freshmen will likely assume the same types of roles for the incoming class.
“I’ll tell them to not expect it to be like home,” Schwendimann said. “Enjoy the change, enjoy the seasons and take advantage of some of the things people say are different — like the snow.”
