St. John's University Athletics
St. John's Softball Senior Spotlight: Jackie Reed
5/15/2014 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 15, 2014
QUEENS, N.Y. - Red Storm Sports had the opportunity to sit down and talk with senior Jackie Reed of the St. John's softball team after the captain rounded out her collegiate career with a historic run into the postseason.
Since joining the softball team as a freshman in 2011, Reed has played and started in 183 games where she has posted a .332 career batting average that includes 40 doubles, two triples, 23 home runs and 97 RBI. The 2014 All-BIG EAST second team selection also set the program's single-season batting average record after hitting .416 during his senior campaign.
Catching Up With Jackie Reed
Q: What has been your favorite part about being a member of the St. John's softball team for the past four years?
A: My favorite part has been having the opportunity to play at some of the nicest stadiums in the country while also playing against teams in the SEC and other very competitive conferences. It has made me a better player and I am thankful for these opportunities that I've had.
Q: What has been your most memorable moment on the softball diamond during your time at St. John's?
A: My most memorable moment on the softball diamond was this year at the BIG EAST Tournament. It was awesome to be part of St. John's history by beating Georgetown in the semifinals to advance to only the second ever BIG EAST Championship game in program history.
Q: Over the past four seasons, what has been your favorite field to play on and why?
A: My favorite field to play on was at USF. The huge video scoreboard, lots of fans in the stands and the stadium itself really pumped me up for the game and showed a true softball atmosphere.
Q: What game are you most looking forward to this season?
A: I am most looking forward to our senior day game (April 27 vs. Creighton) and playing Villanova in the final games of the year because we have been playing them for the last three years.
Q: Off the field, what has been your most memorable moment at St. John's?
A: My most memorable moment off the field was really getting to know my team and the other athletes at St. John's. I've made a lot of friends who I will always keep in touch with and memories that will last a lifetime.
Q: What are you going to miss most about being a member of the St. John's softball team?
A: Without a doubt, I will miss spending time with my teammates. I'll miss all of the laughs and good times we have when we're together. These girls have become some of my best friends and I'll really miss being around them.
Q: What is the biggest thing you took out of being a student-athlete at St. John's?
A: Being a student-athlete at St. John's has helped me become a leader on and off the field. The responsibility, time management and commitment that goes into being a student-athlete has helped me mature into becoming an adult and has prepared me for life after my time as a student-athlete.
Q: What piece of advice would you give to an incoming freshman looking to play softball at St. John's?
A: I would tell an incoming freshman to make the most out of your four years here and enjoy every moment. Time flies by and there comes a time when your career will end. Really take the time to work on all aspects of your game because you can always improve. Enjoy the moments with the team and really take the time to get to know your teammates. Learn from each other and have fun being a part of the team. Find a good balance between academics, softball and your personal life and have no regrets when your time as a student-athlete comes to an end.
Q: What are your plans come graduation in May?
A: After graduation I will be attending Temple University's School of Podiatric Medicine to pursue my D.P.M. starting in August.
Q: If you didn't play college softball, what do you think you would be doing instead?
A: I honestly don't know what I would be doing if I didn't play college softball. Softball has been a huge part of my life so it's hard to think of what I would be doing instead. If I had to pick something I'd say I probably would just be working on my own and getting more involved with clubs and activities at St. John's.
Q: What is one piece of advice you want to share with your team before hanging up your jersey for the last time?
A: One final piece of advice I want to share with my team is to remember how far we made it in the BIG EAST Tournament this year. Use the experience to push yourselves next year and come back next year expecting to win.
For all the latest news on the St. John's softball team, log on to RedStormSports.com and follow the team (@StJohnsSoftball) on Twitter. You can join the conversation with #SJUSB. If you would like to be added to the St. John's softball mailing list, send an email to stjcommunications@stjohns.edu with the subject line "Softball Mailing List".
