CWU Softball Players On "The Ellen Degeneres Show"

May 6, 2008

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - It's been a whirlwind week for Central Washington University softball players Mallory Holtman and Liz Wallace. The story of how they helped an injured opponent around the softball field during an April 26 home game has earned them some well-deserved national attention. They never dreamed such a simple gesture would become national news. But their selfless act has gotten significant national attention, including an appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" Wednesday, May 7, 2008, and some airtime this week on "Inside Edition."

To top it off, Holtman, a senior first baseman for the Wildcats, was just named the 2008 Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) Player of the Year for softball, making her the first four-time first team all-conference selection in the history of the GNAC.

Requests for interviews with the girls and CWU softball coach Gary Frederick to hear the story of their selfless act on the field continue to pour in. In the past week, numerous news outlets, including the New York Times, USA Today and ESPN, have covered the heartwarming story. The girls have also appeared on the CBS "The Early Show," ESPN2's "First Take," and ESPN's "SportsCenter."

Since the story has been seen all across the country, Central has received hundreds of e-mails and phone calls from people whose lives have been touched by it. Many have even sent donations to the CWU Foundation to support scholarships for future softball players.

"We are definitely surprised by the response," says Holtman. "I think it's exciting we've gotten so much great attention. It's good for softball and for Central."

Central recognizes the extraordinary sportsmanship of Holtman, Wallace, and Coach Fredrick, along with the entire softball team, and thanks all who have responded so kindly after hearing the story. The many caring words have resonated throughout the university.

As Wallace reflects on the experience, "It's humbling and overwhelming. It's true, there's a lot of bad press about sports. I hope this reminds them to love and respect the game. I hope that maybe people who've forgotten that can remember."

Both players credit Coach Frederick with the sporting spirit and say he's one of the most positive influences in their lives. They've learned from him that in softball, and in life, there's more than winning and losing.

Photo on the CWU home page by Blake Wolf.
Home video footage courtesy of Sue Wallin, mother of CWU senior softball player Logan Mohr.

Be sure to visit www.wildcatsports.com, the official athletics web site of Central Washington University, for updated links to stories as they are made available online.

Below are links to the coverage of this story as they are currently available:
ESPN Interview
Sportscenter Story
ESPN.com article (by Graham Hays, posted Apr. 28)
WCBS radio story (Apr. 29)
New York Times story (by George Vecsey, posted Apr. 29 for print Apr. 30)
The Oregonian (by Brian Meehan, posted Apr. 29 for print Apr. 30)
KGW TV (Portland, Ore.; Apr. 29)
Statesman-Journal newspaper (Salem, Ore.; Apr. 30)
CNN News (posted Apr. 30)
KOMO TV (Apr. 30)

Contact: Becky Watson, CWU Director Public Relations & Marketing, bwatson@cwu.edu, 509-963-1117
Teri Olin, CWU Public Relations & Marketing, olint@cwu.edu, 509-963-1416

Central Washington University is a master's degree-granting institution with approximately 10,000 students and 1,500 faculty and staff. More than 160 undergraduate and master's degrees are offered. Founded in 1891, the Ellensburg campus is located in the heart of Washington State, nestled between the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River. Since 1975, CWU has served the needs of place bound students at six university centers throughout the state. CWU is an AA/EEO Title IX Institution.