Hotel for St. Louis Missouri

Here is our hotel for St. Louis, MO
Friday March 20 - Saturday March 21, 2009
Game Day - Saturday March 21 12:00pm CT


Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites - Fenton (I-44)
1848 Bowles Avenue
Fenton, MO 63026
Hotel Phone: 636-394-4444
Hotel Fax: 636-305-1234
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/1/en/hotel/STLFE/welcome?start=1&rpb=hotel&crUrl=/h/d/ex/1/en/hotelsearchresults

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The new year is closing in quickly, so I want wish everyone a Happy and prosperous New Year. I am sure 2009 will shine brightly on everyone associated with the softball team.

It was an outstanding 2008. Our second place A10 finish in the regular season was the highest in program history and even though our dream of an Atlantic 10 championship fell short, our student-athletes distinguished themselves once again as some of the elite in the conference. We set a goal a long time ago to improve each and every year so with a little extra work and a couple of softballs bouncing our way during the course of the season...well...you never know what lies ahead! I am excited about the prospects of the year. With our upperclassmen all a year older and wiser and with a deep and talented freshmen class, this year's team looks poised to do new and exciting things.

Our motto this year is..."OUR FAMILY vs your team." It is always better when the whole family is together...so I hope everyone can come watch us play this year and be part of the family in 2009!

Parent's Hotel Block for Clearwater Florida

Jim Narde wanted me to pass this information on to all who might be traveling to Clearwater for our tournament in March. He has set up a room block for SBU parents.

Best Western
3655 Hospitality lane
Clearwater, FLorida
(727) 577-9200

Room Block under St. Bonaventure Softball
March 5, 6 & 7, 2009
$79.00 = Double or King
Any questions: Jim Narde (607) 796-2457

Due to NCAA restrictions, I am unable to hold any rooms for parents at our hotels. I can post information like this however. See you all there! GO BONAS!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

The St. Bonaventure softball team would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

Secret Santa Party 2008!

2009 SPRING SCHEDULE

I would like to announce our 2009 spring schedule! This year features two tournaments, a trip to Orlando Florida as well as our always outstanding A10 slate.

We start in Orlando Florida where we play a total of 8 games at the Rebel Spring Games played at the Osceola Softball Complex. Games against our local rival Niagara and the powerhouse team in the NEC, Lehigh will test our early season level. We travel over to Clearwater the last weekend of our trip to the USF Under Armour Invitational Tournament. The tournament features 2008 World Series participant Virginia Tech as well as North Carolina State and Boston Univeristy who is coached by Salamanca New York native and former SBU assistant coach, Shawn Rychcik. Our tournament games are kicked off with a head to head bash with Big East Conference member UCONN on March 6th!

Our second tournament takes us to Norfolk Virginia for the Norfolk State tournament, featuring Norfolk, Morgan State and Gardner-Webb. It is a perfect tournament to help prepare us for our A10 conference games that open play the following weekend in St. Louis.

Our road games this year feature St. Louis, Umass, Rhode Island, George Washington, UB, Canisius and Robert Morris. We will welcome; Niagara, Temple, St. Joe's, LaSalle, Dayton, Fordham and Charlotte to the campus of SBU this spring. We are excited about this year's schedule and we look forward to seeing you all there! Here is the link to our gobonnies.com schedule http://gobonnies.cstv.com/sports/w-softbl/sched/stbo-w-softbl-sched.html



Saturday 2/28/09
Niagara
9:00am
Orlando, FL

Saturday 2/28/09
Niagara
11:00am
Orlando, FL

Sunday 3/1/09
Holy Cross
9:00am
Orlando, FL

Sunday 3/01/09
Fairfield
11:00am
Orlando, FL

Tuesday 3/03/09
Tennessee State
11:00am
Orlando, FL

Tuesday 3/03/09
Lehigh
1:00pm
Orlando, FL

Wednesday 3/04/09
Valparaiso
1:00pm
Orlando, FL

Wednesday 3/04/09
St. Francis (PA)
3:00pm
Orlando, FL

Friday 3/06/09
University of Connecticut
11:00am
Clearwater, FL

Friday 3/06/09
Evansville
4:00pm
Clearwater, FL

Saturday 3/07/09
Loyola of Chicago
11:00am
Clearwater, FL

Saturday 3/07/09
Under Armour Pool Play
TBA
Clearwater, FL

Sunday 3/08/09
Under Armour Pool Play
TBA
Clearwater, FL

Saturday 3/14/09
Norfolk State
9:00am
Norfolk, VA

Saturday 3/14/09
Morgan State
1:00pm
Norfolk, VA

Sunday 3/15/09
Gardner-Webb
11:00am
Norfolk, VA

Sunday 3/15/09
Championship Game
3:00pm
Norfolk, VA

Saturday 3/21/09
@St. Louis University
1:00pm
St. Louis, MO

Saturday 3/21/09
@St. Louis University
3:00pm
St. Louis. MO

Wednesday 3/25/09
@Robert Morris University
3:00pm
Moon Township, PA

Wednesday 3/25/09
@Robert Morris University
5:00pm
Moon Township, PA

Friday 3/27/09
@Umass
3:00pm
Amherst, MA

Saturday 3/28/09
@Umass
12:00pm
Amherst, MA

Sunday 3/29/09
@Rhode Island
12:00pm
Kingston, RI

Sunday 3/29/09
@Rhode Island
2:00pm
Kingston, RI

Saturday 4/04/09
UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON
12:00pm
ST. BONAVENTURE, NY

Saturday 4/04/09
UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON
2:00pm
ST. BONAVENTURE, NY

Thursday 4/09/09
FORDHAM UNIVERSITY
12:00pm
ST. BONAVENTURE, NY

Thursday 4/09/09
FORDHAM UNIVERSITY
2:00pm
ST. BONAVENTURE, NY

Saturday 4/11/09
LASALLE UNIVERSITY
12:00pm
ST. BONAVENTURE, NY

Saturday 4/11/09
LASALLE UNIVERSITY
2:00pm
ST. BONAVENTURE, NY

Tuesday 4/14/09
NIAGARA UNIVERSITY
3:00pm
ST. BONAVENTURE, NY

Tuesday 4/14/09
NIAGARA UNIVERSITY
5:00pm
ST. BONAVENTURE, NY

Saturday 4/18/09
UNIVERSITY OF CHARLOTTE
12:00pm
ST. BONAVENTURE, NY

Saturday 4/18/09
UNIVERSITY OF CHARLOTTE
2:00pm
ST. BONAVENTURE, NY

Wednesday 4/22/09
@Canisius
3:00pm
Buffalo, NY

Wednesday 4/22/09
@Canisius
5:00pm
Buffalo, NY

Saturday 4/25/09
@George Washington Univ.
12:00pm
Washington, D.C.

Saturday 4/25/09
@George Washington Univ.
2:00pm
Washington, D.C.

Tuesday 4/28/09
@Buffalo
3:00pm
Buffalo, NY

Tuesday 4/28/09
@Buffalo
5:00pm
Buffalo, NY

Friday 5/01/09
ST. JOSEPH’S UNIVERSITY
3:00pm
ST. BONAVENTURE, NY

Saturday 5/02/09
ST. JOSEPH’S UNIVERSITY
12:00pm
ST. BONAVENTURE, NY

Sunday 5/03/09
TEMPLE UNIVERSITY
12:00pm
ST. BONAVENTURE, NY

Sunday 5/03/09
TEMPLE UNIVERSITY
2:00pm
ST. BONAVENTURE, NY

Wednesday 5/06/09
Atlantic 10 Championships
TBA
Bronx, NY

Thursday 5/07/09
Atlantic 10 Championships
TBA
Bronx, NY

Friday 5/08/09
Atlantic 10 Championships
TBA
Bronx, NY

Saturday 5/09/09
Atlantic 10 Championships
TBA
Bronx, NY

Hotel for Rhode Island

Here is our hotel for our doubleheader with Rhode Island. We will be checking in on Saturday March 28th as we travel from Umass to Rhode Island and checking out the next day (Sunday) before our games. We will travel back to St. Bonaventure immediately after our games that day.

Sheraton Providence Airport Hotel
1850 Post Road
Warwick, RI 02886

http://specialoffers.starwoodhotels.com/sheratonprovidenceairport/so.htm?PS=PS_aa_NewEngland_YahooPanama_sheraton_providence_hotel_091808_NAD_FM

Ellie wants to wish you all a very HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Hotel for South Florida Tournament

Our accommodations for the USF Under Armour Invitational Softball Tournament on March 6-8 is the HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS ICOT CENTER HOTEL
http://www.hiexclearwatergateway.com/

We will be checking into the hotel Thursday March 5th and checking out Monday morning March 9th to fly back to SBU.

Please note...our team rate will not be available to you.

Bona Softball Gear is available!

The team is selling "Bona Gear" this year as a fundraiser but also because I have been asked on many occasion why it is so tough to find SBU softball apparel. Well, we have just made it easier. Here is a list of what is available and the price for each item...

Short sleeve t-shirt 12.00
Long sleeve t-shirt 15.00
3/4 Sleeve Jersey 15.00
1/2 Zip Hoody 40.00
Pullover Hoody 30.00
Sweatpants 25.00
Fleece Blanket 30.00
Beanie Knit Hat 15.00
Fitted Softball Hat 15.00

You have options of on most items of black or grey and on some items embroidery is an option. For more information and ordering please contact the softball office at 716-375-2289 or email the softball office at mthreeho@sbu.edu

All profit proceeds goes directly to SBU softball for travel, meals and equipment needs. Thank you for your support!

The Mental Toughness Test Day

Today was a day that confirms once again the passion I have for my profession and the love and respect I have for the members of the SBU softball team. We put the team through a tough workout today, including wall-sits, board pushes and leg presses. If anyone has ever experienced these exercises, you understand the term "jelly-legs." You push yourself so hard that your legs seem to move in all directions at the same time when you try to walk. Walking up and down stairs after a workout like that is a feat in itself.

Watching these outstanding student-athletes push themselves to the point of leaning over garbage cans in case the days breakfast makes a sudden come back or each one of them helping the other stand up re-affirms what I surmised about this team a while ago. They want to be great. They are beginning to understand what it takes to be great and they are starting to realize that there is no limit to how great we can become as long as we are a team that respects and cares for each other.

It takes a lot of support from teammates and coaches to make it through a day like this in the weight room. Most freshmen have never experienced pushing themselves to the level where their bodies are telling them to stop but their will and determination is screaming at them to continue. The pictures I take out of today were of a freshman about to begin her last board push and a senior, who had all ready done her workout earlier in the day grabbing a board and doing the exercise with her. Also another senior doing one more board push than she needed to just to help her sophomore teammate finish up her workout. All of them side by side working together to make this team better. My respect grows more and more each day for all of them.

A sophomore came up to me the other day with a bracelet on her wrist that she made online. My philosophy has always been that we are friends first and teammates second at SBU. However, what she showed me, is what we will live by every day here at SBU while I remain the coach. Her bracelet read..."Our Family vs Your Team." That sums up everything I believe in and stand for as a coach and a person. GO BONAS!

The Varsity Weight Room

2008 1st Team All-Atlantic 10 Conference Pitcher Sherri Thompson is spotted by freshman and Smethport, PA native Diana Phalon. (Click the picture below to watch part of our workout!)

Our student-athletes workout three times a week to prepare themselves for the coming season. They understand that being good is not good enough. Our objective is to be great and the weight room helps us reach our full potential as athletes.

Every lift is over-seen by Head Strength Coach Daryn Fiske and is set up to maximize each player's potential. Lifting also keeps us away from injury as the stronger you are the faster you can come back from an injury or prevent one from ever happening.

Softball Prepares for 2009!

Freshman Brooke Frey works hard to prepare herself for the fast approaching Atlantic 10 season.

"Hard work beats talent when talent does not work hard." - Coach Fiske

Reaching three out of the last four Atlantic 10 Championships and placing 2nd in the 2008 regular season, SBU softball has established itself as one of the elite teams in the A10. We are a very talented team and we will not let anyone out work us.

The weight room is a physical place but more than that, lifting prepares us mentally for the rigors of a hectic schedule come spring. If a student-athlete can excel in the weight room, she will reach her full potential on the field.

Winter Clinic Registration Forms

THE 2009 WINTER CLINIC BROCHURES ARE AVAILABLE! Click the link below...

http://gobonnies.cstv.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/stbo/sports/w-softbl/auto_pdf/2008-09WinterClinics

2009 WINTER CLINICS

Our 2009 Winter Softball Clinics have been set! Here are the dates and times...

HITTING CLINIC 10-13 Year Olds January 31, 2009 1:00-3:00pm Butler Gymnasium

HITTING CLINC 14-17 Year Olds February 8, 2009 1:00-3:00pm Butler Gymnasium

PITCHING CLINIC 10-13 Year Olds February 21, 2009 1:00-2:30pm RC Gymnasium

PITCHING CLINIC 14-17 Year Olds February 21, 2009 2:30-4:00pm RC Gymnasium

All clincs are $40.00 per student.

THE 2009 BROCURES ARE AVAILABLE! Click the link below...

http://gobonnies.cstv.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/stbo/sports/w-softbl/auto_pdf/2008-09WinterClinics

For more information contact:

Mike Threehouse

716-375-2289 (Office Phone)

716-474-1574 (Cell Phone)

mthreeho@sbu.edu

A 35 mile view from the top of Rock City Park

Rock City Field Trip

The St. Bonaventure softball team took a day out of their busy fall season to take a trip to Rock City Park. Rock City is about 15 minutes from campus and boasts the worlds largest visible formation of quartz rock. A small jewel that helps make the country setting of SBU one of its many strengths.

The team trekked in vans to Rock City where they hiked along the 1 mile trail and had lunch before returning to campus later in the day. The image above is from a perfect 72 degree day. We make it a priority to understand and experience all that SBU and the surrounding community has to offer.

2009 Spring Softball Schedule

We are excited about our 2009 schedule. A trip to Orlando and Clearwater Florida opens up our season while a second trip to Norfolk Virginia will help prepare us for our A10 slate the following week.

2009 Spring Schedule:

February 28-March 4
Rebel Spring Games - Orlando, Florida (Opponents to be announced)
http://www.rebelspringgames.com/
http://www.globalrcbi.com/rebel/housing_faq.htm


March 6-8
Under Armour Invitational - Clearwater Florida
3/06 11am Uconn
3/06 4pm Evansville
3/07 11am Loyola of Chicago
3/07 TBA Pool Play
3/08 TBA
http://www.usfseries.com/

March 14-15
Norfolk State Tournament
3/14 9am Norfolk State
3/14 1pm Morgan State
3/15 11am Stoney Brook
3/15 1pm/3pm Consolation/Championship Games
http://www.nsuspartans.com/index.aspx?path=softball&tab=softball

3/21 @St. Louis 1pm and 3pm EST
3/25 @Robert Morris 3pm and 5pm
3/27 @Umass 3pm
3/28 @Umass 12pm
3/29 @Rhode Island 12pm and 2pm
4/04 DAYTON 12pm and 2pm
4/09 FORDHAM 12pm and 2pm
4/11 LASALLE 12pm and 2pm
4/14 NIAGARA 3pm and 5pm
4/18 CHARLOTTE 12pm and 2pm
4/22 @Canisius 3pm and 5pm
4/25 @George Washington 12pm and 2pm
4/28 @Buffalo 3pm and 5pm
5/01 ST. JOE'S 3pm
5/02 ST JOE'S 12pm
5/03 TEMPLE 12pm and 2pm
5/06-5/09 Atlantic 10 Championships (Fordham - Bronx, NY)
http://www.gobonnies.com/


*Trip Itineraries and Hotels will be posted soon.*

Alumni from left to right (front row):
Caitlin Grattan '07, Kirstin Strong '08, Shannon Hunter '99, Jen Bovee '99, Brianna Bricker '08,
Middle Row:
Jamie Hanzlian '06, Joelle Brunetto '06, Michelle Andhor '06, Tanya "Sears" Steele '97
Back Row:
Molly McCarthy '06, Kristin Brunetto '06, Kera Strong '06, Kim Dodson '05, Anna Nagro '07, Lauren Krieger '06, Brandy "Knull" Pavlich '99, Tracy Nytransky '00, Bernice St. Clair '02

Alumnae Game 2008

"2006 Graduate Kristin Brunetto tries to make a deal with freshman Brittany Storch for a pitch down the middle."

What better way to introduce the new St. Bonaventure Softball blog to the world than by recognizing all those players that helped the SBU Softball program become one of the elite programs in the Atlantic 10 Conference.

The game saw eighteen former players return to face the current Bonnies in the 6th annual SBU Alumnae game. On a beautiful 75 degree sun-swept day, the game ended in a 4-2 win for the current Bonnies.

I thank all of you for attending the game and I will work hard to make it bigger and better every year. It is always a highlight of the year when I get to see all of you. I wish you all the best and see you in 2009!