Callie Alford

Classroom

Alford epitomizes what it means to be an all-around student-athlete. The senior is on pace to graduate on time with her degree in finance from a nationally-ranked business school and a minor in speech. With a cumulative GPA of 3.75, Alford has received an academic honor after each of her first seven semesters at Georgia State. She has earned two President’s List honors for finishing with a GPA of 4.0 or higher, four Dean’s List recognitions (3.5 GPA or higher) and one Athletic Director’s Honor Roll award (3.0 GPA or higher). Alford has been recognized by both the Sun Belt Conference and the Colonial Athletic Association for her hard work in the classroom. Last season she also served as Georgia State’s representative on the Sun Belt Conference Leadership Team. After graduation, Alford plans to get her Master’s in Sports Administration at Georgia State and hopes to work in the business department of an athletic department.

Character

Alford is one of the undisputed leaders on the softball team. She was elected team captain ahead of her senior season and is currently serving on Georgia State’s Leadership Council. However, Alford’s character is also recognized by those outside the athletic department. This was made most evident when she was selected for a prestigious internship with the Atlanta Braves last summer. Over the years she has evolved into a leader in all aspects of the softball program from academic excellence to community service and outstanding on-field performance. Alford has served as the team representative for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) for the past three years in addition to being named to the Sun Belt Conference Leadership team for the 2013-14 academic year. Behind the scenes, Alford is the player her teammates seek out for issues both on and off the field. When she graduates there will large void in the team, but thankfully she has set the standard that younger players strive to achieve.

Community

Community service has been important to Alford since before her enrollment at Georgia State. She has worked on her own and with her teammates on several different community service fronts. First, Alford has been heavily involved with the Miracle League, an organization that allows physically and mentally disabled children to participate in an organized youth baseball league. She volunteers in their corporate office and has worked many events dressed as their mascot, Homer. Alford has also spent many hours at her local soup kitchen helping to feed those in need. With her teammates, Alford participated in a clothing drive to benefit the Salvation Army and Goodwill over winter break by collecting clothes and assisting with the donation process. Alford also served as a big sister when she hosted a child from Big Brothers Big Sisters at a Georgia State football game this fall. The senior has also participated in a roadside clean up with her teammates every year.

Competition

A three-year starter, Alford is a four-time all-conference selection and has been named to the NFCA All-Region Second Team twice. She has helped the Panthers achieve 30 or more wins during each of her first three seasons, including five against ranked opponents. In the Georgia State record books, the senior is ranked in the top 10 in seven different categories, including fourth in career RBI, sixth in career walks and sixth in career home runs. Last season, Alford hit .302 with six home runs and 25 RBI, which was good enough to earn All-Sun Belt Second Team honors. As a sophomore, she set career highs in batting average (.325), home runs (10) and RBI (44) en route to being named NFCA All-Region Second Team and All-CAA Second Team. Alford made an instant impact as a freshman, starting every game while picking up NFCA All-Region Second Team, All-CAA Second Team and CAA All-Rookie Team honors.