Liz Watkins

Classroom

Watkins has been an exemplary student-athlete since arriving at Iowa in the fall of 2008.  She is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, while majoring in business management and organizations in Iowa’s Henry B. Tippie College of Business.  Watkins carries a 3.75 grade point average in her major and a 3.20 cumulative GPA.  She is on track to graduate in May of 2012.  Upon graduation, Watkins would like to obtain a positin working in the business/marketing field.

Character

Watkins was Iowa’s team captain as a freshman and sophomore, and has served in a leadership role on Iowa’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee throughout her collegiate career.  Watkins showed her leadership prowess early on, receiving four of Iowa team awards as a freshman, including the Peg Augspurger Hawkeye Heart and Iowa Coaches Awards. Watkins has displayed an exceptional work ethic throughout her career, as she is continually trying to improve herself and those around her.  She works to improve each time she steps on the field, whether it be working by herself before or after practice or catching a pitcher in the bullpen.

Community

Watkins takes a great deal of pride in giving back to the community.  She has and continues to volunteer in a number of different facets, including Habitat for Humanity, Iowa City Clean-up Days, Beading to Beat Autism, various hunger drives, Special Olympics, University of Iowa Thank-a-thon and Hawkeye Pride, which allows UI student-athletes to meet and interact with local grade school children. Watkins is also involved in various cancer walks and fundraisers, focusing on testicular and breast cancer.  Watkins became deeply involved after one of her best friends was diagnosed with testicular cancer in high school before passing away in Nov. 2008.  Each year, Watkins assists with an annual event—Brandon’s Run.  She was also instrumental in helping get a law passed in the state of Illinois—Brandon’s Law—making it mandatory that every male high school student who is active in athletics must be checked for testicular cancer.

Competition

On the field, Watkins is a three-time All-Big Ten selection for the University of Iowa softball team, helping the Hawkeyes to one NCAA Tournament appearance and a winning overall record in each of her three seasons.  Watkins has started 151-of-154 games in an Iowa uniform, posting a career batting average of .318 with 107 RBI and 23 home runs.  She is tied for fourth with 23 career long balls and 10th with 107 career RBI.  Watkins also seventh in both single season home runs and RBI.