TAMPA, Fla. — After playing softball at Southern Illinois University, right-handed pitcher Nicole Doyle knew she needed a change.
Doyle decided to transfer to the University of South Florida where she would continue playing University level softball.
“It was one of the best decisions I made in my life,” she said, on a cool night at the USF softball stadium. “I wasn’t happy with where I was at, struggled a little bit and I just needed a change.”
She found it helpful to have people who she knew previously to support her during her transition.
“It’s nice because I had people I knew down here so it made it a lot easier.
“I ended up being roommates with one of the most crazy, loud girls on the team so it was an easy transition because she included me in everything so I got to know everybody pretty quick.”
The pitcher spoke highly of her USF softball assistant coach, Jessica Moore, who made sure Doyle was comfortable in her new environment.
“She’s incredible, she’s done a lot more for me than she’ll ever know, emotionally, physically, everything.”
Doyle opens up about how she stays positive during her big move.
“I focus on surrounding myself with good people, positive energy is contagious and so is negative energy,” she said.
Head coach Ken Eriksen was pleased to have Doyle join the USF softball team as a senior.
“It’s always good to have someone who has had college experience beforehand because they know what they’re getting into,” he said. “I think the positive environment that she’s in right now has led itself towards a lot of success for Nicole.
“People saw the adjustments that she made in her first year of the transition coming from SIU to develop into a program that’s maybe more competitive nationally and she’s actually done a great job for us,” he added.
Doyle is happy with her decision and the positive outcomes it has had in her softball career as well as her personal life.
“I’m more confident and believe in myself a lot more so it’s probably the best I feel but couldn’t have done it without my coaches believing in me and my teammates and fans.”