FEATURE: Paige Bange Reflects on @MizzouSoftball Career
5/3/2018 11:36:00 AM | Softball
Story by Alexandra Stoker & Shannon Sankey (University of Missouri Journalism)
COLUMBIA, Mo. - For senior Paige Bange (Jefferson City, Mo.), playing softball at the University of Missouri has always been her dream.
"Mizzou has been my dream school ever since I was a little girl." Bange exclaimed. "It's close to home and where a lot of my family members have attended school. Growing up, I went to a lot of Mizzou Softball games and camps so when I received an offer to play here it was a no brainer."
Bange has been playing sports her whole life, but softball was the one that stuck. Fast forward 22 years and now she's getting ready to graduate from the University of Missouri after four years of being a student athlete, taking with her memories made on and off the diamond.
"I couldn't ask for a closer knit group of friends, we really are sisters," Bange said. "Eight of us live at the same apartment complex. We like to get food together or hang out at someone's house and even do some karaoke. We're horrible singers but it guarantees a good laugh."
Softball has not only given Bange lasting friendships, but it has also allowed her to step into leadership roles and invest in young players in the same way that was once done for her.
"I'd go to camps and I loved working with the older players and getting advice from them that played softball," Bange recalled. "It's kind of cool that it came full circle now, because I'm the one who's here and I'm the player teaching little girls at camps."
While the Tigers may only possess one senior on this year's roster, luckily they have a standout leader in Bange.
"I'm kind of like the team mom in a way because I'm the oldest," Bange said. "I've been through it all. People come to me for advice about anything. School, work, softball or whatever. I've been in their shoes so I know how to help."
With the 2018 campaign coming to an end, Bange is ready to hang up her cleats and focus on whatever comes next. In August, she'll be working as a learning garden educator for the Southern Boone School District.
The Tiger fan favorite's last home game at Mizzou Softball Stadium is scheduled for Sunday, May 6, at 2 p.m. Fans are encouraged to arrive early that day, as the Tigers will honor her with pre-game festivities.
Visit MUTigers.com for the latest information on all things Mizzou Softball. You can also find the Tigers on social media by liking us on Facebook (University of Missouri Softball Team) and following us on Twitter and Instagram (@MizzouSoftball).
