Emily Bledsoe

Classroom

Bledsoe has been one of Texas Tech’s most dependable student-athletes in the classroom over her career, earning numerous accolades while majoring in advertising. She has been honored several times on the university’s Dean’s List while also winning academic merit awards following the past two spring semesters. An Academic All-Big 12 selection in 2010, Bledsoe has also been honored on the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll twice in her career.

Character

Bledsoe is by far one of the most generous and caring student-athletes on the Texas Tech campus. Whether it is dealings with coaches, fellow teammates, academic counselors, fans, or the media, Bledsoe is always genuine and courteous. She relies heavily on her religious faith and is often one of the more courteous and friendly student-athletes Tech employees see on a daily basis. On the field, she has been one of program’s top leaders over the past year as Tech did not have a senior on its roster during the 2011 season. She is mentally ready for each and every game as she has not missed a single start during her entire Tech career.

Community

In addition to her work on the field, Bledsoe is also a popular fixture in the Lubbock community. Over the past two years, she has participated weekly in a mentoring lunch program at Frenship Elementary school just outside of Lubbock where she develops relationships with students during the lunch hour. In addition, she has also helped coordinate volunteer actives with Martin Early Education School and Overton Elementary School. She has also joined her teammates in visits to local children’s hospitals along with work with the Special Olympics and High Point Village, which is a special-needs center for area youth.

Competition

One of the top players in school history, Bledsoe has inked her name in the Tech record book as she already ranks among the top 10 in most offensive categories along with several single-season statistics as well. A career .330 hitter, Bledsoe enters the 2012 season already Tech’s all-time leader in doubles and will look to continue her success from a record 2011 season where Tech finished 42-16 overall. Bledsoe hit a career-high .383 as a junior while driving in 33 RBI and scoring 56 runs as part of one the country’s top offenses from a year ago. Her play on the diamond has helped lead the Red Raiders to consecutive trips to a NCAA Regional, breaking the school’s 10 year-postseason absence in the process. After both of the last two seasons, she has been honored on the All-Big 12 second team and picked up NFCA All-Central Region accolades following the 2011 season. Prior to the 2012 season, she was named to the USA Softball Player of the Year Top 50 Watch List by the American Softball Association (ASA) of America.