Alumni Spotlight: Tricia Popowski

Nov. 5, 2014

Gamecock History

Four-year letter-winner 1988-91
Three-time All-American (first team 1989 & ’91, second team 1990)
Four-time all-region
NCAA Division I all-time leader in triples (51)
SC’s career record-holder in slugging percentage (.611) and walks (113)
Second-hardest batter to strike out in Gamecock history (1 K per 23.7 at bats)
Led SC all four years in on-base percentage, triples, walks, slugging and on-base percentage, three times each in runs, doubles and home runs

Before coming to South Carolina, Popowski played with the Budweiser Belles on the national stage.
She was referred to Gamecock coach Joyce Compton, who recruited her.
She fell in love with SC because of the majors, the big-time athletics program and the high-level coaching staff.
Popowski mentioned all the sports at SC were extremely talented at the time and she knew being a student-athlete was a privilege.
Everyone worked hard to succeed, and the 1989 team made the NCAA Women’s College World Series for the second time in program history.
Her most memorable moment came when she hit a walk-off home run against Florida State in her freshman season.
One of her overall favorite experiences was to play at the WCWS, where “the TV crews made it a really big deal to be playing for such a large audience.”

She played after college for five different national teams, including the legendary Stratford Brakettes.
Popowski now lives in Point Pleasant, N.J., working as a high school softball and soccer coach.
She loves the beachy atmosphere there, which reminds her of where she grew up.
She also coaches for the 16U Commotion travel team out of New Jersey.
Her eight-year-old twins Ashley and Dakota both love to play softball.

Interview conducted by Mackenzie Moler