Temple University Athletics
GARY BECOMES FIRST TEMPLE SOFTBALL PLAYER DRAFTED BY NPF
12.12.03 | Softball
As a junior, Gary led the team with 45 hits and 12 doubles on the season, earning all-Mid-Atlantic Region honors. She was also named first team all-Atlantic 10 Conference and earned a spot on the A-10 all-tournament team. The San Diego, CA native placed second on the team in hitting (.366) and slugging percentage (.537). Off the field, Gary was selected to the Academic All-Atlantic 10 team. She owns a 3.66 cumulative grade point average while majoring in Criminal Justice and Psychology.
The Owls have another tie to the New York/New Jersey Juggernauts as their head coach, Linda Derk, is a former Temple assistant softball coach (1992-1994). The only other A-10 player selected in the NPF Draft, UMass outfielder Aisha Franke, has a connection to Temple as well. Her mother, Dr. Nikki Franke, is the Owls' longtime fencing coach.
The NPF drafted 32 elite players and 48 senior collegiate players for the 2004 season. Although the NPF has not released the 2004 schedule, opening day is slated for June 1.
The NPF boasts a 56 game regular season with an all-star game, best-of-three division play-offs and best-of-five championship series. Created in 1997, the NPF consists of eight teams located in Akron, Tucson, Denver, Houston, Sacramento, San Antonio, and Little Falls, N.J.
