« Softball 2011

Megan Bush

School
University of Florida
Position
Utility Infielder
Major
Health Education and Behavior
AVG
.471
R
29
H
40
FLD%
.970
RBI
53

Classroom

A two-time ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District III second-team selection, Bush boasts a 3.51 GPA in health education and behavior. She has been named an SEC Academic honor roll selection three years, including her freshman year on campus in 2008 as part of the SEC Freshman Academic honor roll. A complete team player both on and off the field, Bush encourages the Gators to be just as successful off the field in the classroom as on the field.

Character

From the moment Bush stepped onto campus, she was an immediate team player. Last season she was voted as “the teammate with the best cheers.” She’s always the teammate in the bullpen starting off the Gators’ cheers and coming up with new and fun cheers that keep the team’s spirits up, making the game of softball truly fun and enjoyable for her teammates each day. A leader by example, Bush works hard during practice and in the weight room to set a great example for the underclassmen. As a senior this season, she has already shown her involvement, approaching administration and coaches about taking a leadership role and organizing community activities for the Gators. Stepping on campus, Bush has been asked to play a variety of different positions, primarily at first base and shortstop, but no matter the day or position or how much notice she has regarding her position in a certain game, she’s ready and willing to work at a high level to do whatever will benefit the Gators, making her a key piece to one of the most successful classes in UF softball history.

Community

While the sport of softball and developing a cohesive team are important throughout the duration of each school year, Bush and the Gators pride themselves on community service. As a sophomore, Bush and the Gators created, organized and publicized the Swing for Cancer event, which gave fans a chance to watch Florida student-athletes and coaches try to hit against Florida’s All-American pitchers while raising money for cancer initiatives. Additionally, Bush participated in the University of Florida’s Climb for Cancer Sport Camps, an event in which children diagnosed with cancer come to UF for the day to play with current and former Gators. In 2009, she helped research and implement a plan to “adopt” a 13-year-old girl with a brain tumor through the Friends of Jacyln Foundation. Bush and the Gators introduced their newest team member to fans at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium before the Gators’ final fall game in 2009. During the holiday season, the Gators participate in UF’s GatorTracks program, which collects and donates sneakers to over 400 local children in need of new shoes at the holidays. She also participates in Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics activities and Miracle on Main Street, where low-income families are able to “shop” for holiday gifts using tickets and coupons in downtown Gainesville.

Competition

Bush’s successes not only flow off the field, but on the field as a high-caliber athlete for Florida. As a junior, she was named to the All-SEC first team. In 2009 and 2010, Bush was named a NFCA/Louisville Slugger All-Southeast Region team member, while reeling in second-team all-conference honors in 2009 to accompany her nomination to the Women’s College World Series all-tournament team when the Gators played in the WCWS Championship Series. Last season, she shattered UF’s career sacrifice flies record (12) and tied for first in the record book for sacrifice flies in a single season (6). She currently ranks second in Florida record books with a .639 career slugging percentage and 44 career home runs.