Hope- Three teams gathered Saturday, August 5th for the Hope Lady Cats Alumni Game to raise money for the Jami Godwin Memorial Scholarship Fund. The Scholarship is awarded to a deserving Lady Cat, the recipient this past season the Jami Godwin Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Zakiah Randle. It is always great to witness a significant event that has a positive impact in a community and in the Lady Cats Softball Program. There was a large turnout this year, as there were enough athletes to complete 3 teams: Team Garrison, Team Davis, and Team Lucas. There was a HR Derby as well, Payton Garrison won the Kids HR Derby and Raley Potter won the HR Derby.
I spoke with former Lady Cats Coach and current Prescott Coach Mike Godwin Saturday, and when asked how much it meant to him to see all his ex-softball players gathered together and still playing he said, “A lot of good memories, very special to see all of them together.” There were Lady Cats ranging from the class of 1998-2023, Coach Godwin led the Lady Cats to back-to-back State Championships in 2003 and 2004, and State Runner-Up in 2002 and 2011. 2-time State Champion Athea Garrison, who helped get this event together spoke what this event meant to her, “It means a lot, it is very exciting to see everyone come together as a family because that’s what we are.”
I had the opportunity to listen to Coach Mike Godwin and Athea Garrison reminisce on their State Championship seasons and how much those teams meant to the Lady Cat Softball program. I also got the chance to speak with Bevin Lockeby and asked her to give me one word to describe the event, “Nostalgic," she said, Saying it was great seeing everyone come together for a great cause.
Everyone that participated that I spoke with all had a blast out there and are looking forward to the next one. All in all, it was a great day for the Jami Godwin Memorial Scholarship Fund, and I know Coach Godwin is very grateful for everyone that participated in making this a very successful weekend at Lady Cat Field.
