BRISTOL, R.I. – On the weekend of January 8th and 9th, the Roger Williams University community was privileged with the presence of United States Olympians Natasha Watley and Vicky Galindo, as the Roger Williams University Softball team hosted the two for the first annual Olympic Occasion.
More than 60 people were in attendance for the dinner held in the Global Heritage Hall on RWU's campus Saturday evening. The night began with an ongoing silent auction, which included two Mizuno bats and a pair of game-worn cleats, both signed by Natasha Watley, an authentic game-worn Chicago Bandits Vicky Galindo jersey, a life-size and four miniature Wall Monkeys of Natasha Watley, and mansion tours of Newport mansions. Prior to the dinner, all in attendance were able to receive autographs from the two Olympians and take a picture with the two and their Olympic Medals.
“The inaugural Olympian Occasion was such an outstanding event for Roger Williams University, our Athletics department and our Softball program,” said Head Coach Joyce Maudie. “I am so proud of our University and our team members for the effort put forth in creating such a classy event for the public and our Olympian guests, Natasha Watley and Vicky Galindo. Natasha and Vicky were phenomenal ambassadors and made such a great impression on everyone they interacted with.”
During the dinner session, both Galindo and Watley took to the podium to speak about their experiences that led them from their humble beginnings in softball to earning an opportunity to represent the United States on the Olympic level.
“It was remarkable to hear them share their personal stories with us at the dinner on Saturday evening—they were inspiring, motivating and relatable,” said Maudie. “Everyone in the room got so much out of what they shared. It was truly a special night.”
On Sunday, the Olympians were able to impart the skills that they have developed over the years to over 50 young girls at the Olympian Occasion Clinic in the Fieldhouse of the RWU campus. During the two sessions over the course of the day, Watley and Galindo instructed the girls on fielding mechanics, baserunning techniques, and hitting strategies. The clinic not only helped to improve their skills as softball players, but also gave them a chance for a once-in-a-lifetime experience to learn and interact with two elite players that have competed at the highest level.
Not only were the young girls in attendance at the clinic pleased for the opportunity to play with two of the best softball players in the world, the Roger Williams Softball team also enjoyed the experience as well. Charged with a bulk of the prep work for the entire weekend, the team gained valuable experience in putting together an event of this magnitude and definitely saw the fruits of their labor pay off.
“As the lone senior on the RWU Softball team, I feel not only honored but privileged to have had the chance to participate in the first annual Olympian Occasion before my time on the team is up,” said senior Sarah Grill. “Thanks to the hard work of Coach Maudie, our event coordinator Lisa Iancin and the RWU Softball team, we were able to pull off a fantastic event that inspired softball enthusiasts around New England.”
Grill hopes that this weekend will be the first step in an ongoing tradition for the RWU Softball program.
“Meeting Natasha Watley and Vicky Galindo will be engrained in my memory forever as one of the most inspirational and exciting events that I was able to participate in during my time at Roger Williams. I can't wait to come back next year to support the second annual Olympian Occasion and help to keep this spectacular tradition alive on our campus.”
The Roger Williams University Softball team and entire campus community would like to thank Natasha Watley, Vicky Galindo, Lisa Iancin, and all the supporters of the entire Olympian Occasion.
