It Was a Home Run!

When the Bay Path Wildcats softball team went to Myrtle Beach, SC, for their spring warm-up tournament for the upcoming season, they visited with a special fan.

Venessa O’Brien ’38, 103 years young, welcomed the team for a little off the field respite.  Venessa is known as one of Bay Path’s most enthusiastic supporters.  In fact, since her graduation 85 years ago, Venessa still proudly wears the maroon and white.  With the team visit, she can add to her collection.  The team presented her and her family with an official Bay Path Wildcats softball T-shirt and signed softball.

For Isabelle Ferrara ’26 and Caroline Austin ’26, both first-year players, the visit was a walk-through history.

“Meeting Venessa gave me a new perspective on Bay Path’s history.  It showed me how Bay Path has impacted people across the generations,” remarked Isabelle.

“I think hearing Venessa’s life story was very inspirational for the team,” added Caroline.  “She was the first woman outside sales engineer for General Electric (GE), and we found that achievement pretty incredible.”

Director of Athletics and softball coach Steve Smith shared these words: “It was a win-win for everyone!  Venessa was delighted to meet the team, and the student-athletes met an alumna who personified the best of Bay Path.”

It sounds like a home run!