I spent 8 hours recruiting at softball games today and a majority of those were spent sitting with other college coaches. It’s crazy how often people question us “sitting with the enemy.” I guess not everyone knows how close/supportive the college softball coaches community is!?!
For those who haven’t heard: on March 17 I was hit by a linedrive foul ball during a game in Florida (an hour after this team photo in the pink jerseys was taken). I was knocked unconscious and suffered a skull fracture and some orbital fractures … (see more in comments)
I’m improving every day and am on the road to recovery. Today I got to see the team for the first time since I’ve been back and we had a great time with the Pups with a Purpose therapy dogs! I’m feeling lucky and grateful for all the people in my life. ❤️🔥🥎
It's always hard on signing days to be in multiple locations at the same time. I wish I could be there for all my recruits to celebrate. Thanks to
@RyanGlatter
for representing CSM softball at Madi Warren's signing today.
@mwarren34709499
Wow - what a day! It was great to see the Flames back out on the field again for competition. Thanks to CCC for a great day of scrimmages. And thanks to everyone who came to watch. We had a GREAT crowd!
Wow! We made it! I’m so grateful that we got our entire 7-week fall softball season in! We have 27 players and 5 coaches and made it 7 weeks together without a single COVID-19 diagnosis. I’m feeling very lucky, thankful and hopeful for the spring!
She’s kind of a big deal!
@CarolynToddBray
was selected as the CSM Coach of the Year tonight for the time and energy she pours into her program.
@CSM_Flames
@CSMFlamesSB
Today’s recruiting adventures took me to Leigh, Neb. (pop. 396) to watch high school softball playoffs in a fun little stadium that was a former men’s fastpitch field. And my recruit recommended lunch at JAMMs - the only gas station in town. 😀
Softball practice starts today for the Flames! The 51st softball team in College of Saint Mary history begins its journey. This year’s theme is Strength in Numbers! Only one piece of equipment needed for opening day.
My heart is full! I only wish I had more time to catch up with the alums and talk more with the recruits. Our crowd was awesome - thanks to all the family and friends that came out today. We definitely felt the love!
What a day! We had two scrimmages against a very talented Bellevue squad. Everyone got to play at least 6 innings, we had an awesome group of recruits come watch, there were a ton of alums back to support us and it was a big crowd. What an experience for our first fall event!
Had a fun night with the CSM Athletic Department at a cookout and the Omaha Storm Chasers game! We got to see a two-out walkoff homer win by the Storm Chasers and I had my first-ever Pop Tart ice cream sandwich. Good times. Go Flames!
I’m still trying to process my emotions from today. I volunteered at the Veterans Stand Down event sponsored by the Omaha VA Hospital. What an amazing event! They offered so many services and supplies to individuals that have served our country. It was an eye-opening experience.
We don’t have a big vacation planned this summer but plan to take an extra day here and there on some recruiting trips! Getting BBQ in KC today! And when your recruiting assistant asks for a wagon for your chairs, bags and cooler - you have to get one!
@bray_chad
Date night for the Brays featured a trip to Beatrice that included a fancy dinner at Pizza Hut, watching a softball game and engraved jewelry! Woo hoo! Go Flames! 😀
We had a super fun signing event for Kaela
@Kaela_1_4
today! What a great turnout of friends and family! And an added bonus is when Kaela’s mom and family are from Minnesota and they bring all sorts of Minnesota goodies!
@CoachBakker
I appreciate that you said “supporters” and not “wives.” Words matter. Here’s my husband supporting me and my team at a collegiate softball game. He does countless recruiting trips with me to spend extra time together while I work.
@bray_chad
Happy 26th Anniversary Chad Bray! As we embark on our 30th year together we are looking forward to the new adventure of
#lakelife
! Here’s to more sunsets and more traveling!
@bray_chad
Yutan/Mead’s Shaylynn Campbell had four wins and 45 K’s last week.
The
@YutanMeadSB
senior is the
@CSM_Flames
Girls High School Athlete of the Week.
#nebpreps
Congratulations to Maycee Hays on her signing today. We're feeling lucky to have three ladies (Maycee, Shay Campbell, Ella Watts) and one former coach (Ryan Glatter) with the Flames softball team!
It’s still hard to believe that we chose to vacation in Arkansas 🤷♀️ but Eureka Springs is amazing! Today’s adventures included touching the “healing” waters of natural springs, making my own bath salts and visiting the Basin Park Hotel.
@bray_chad
Another great day in the “office” - watching state softball all day, eating walking tacos, Eileen’s cookies and drinking the Dew. (I passed on the free Runzas in the coaches tent. 🤮)
Another hole-in-one for
@bray_chad
today! I would’ve given anything to see Joaquin Rodriguez pick him up and shake him up and down during the celebration!
Had a great time today working the Jerrad Hardin Omaha camp
@JerradH
! What a great event! It’s the only camp I’ve worked the last few summers because it is one of the best. The student-athletes were great in the heat today too!
My “nesting” week is over - all sorts of appointments (doctor, dentist, booster, haircut, dog haircut, car wash) done and the office fridge is stocked - season starts tomorrow! Let’s go Flames!
This will be my 17th year of collegiate coaching and will be the first time I’ve missed Freshmen Move-In Day. I’m enjoying my time with CSM volleyball in Florida but feeling bad that I’m not on campus. Hopefully volunteer assistant
@bray_chad
can handle the welcoming duties!
When Chad and I were talking about what we had going on this weekend he said his top priority was to do our first online grocery order. It might have something to do with the fact that this is the only food that we have in our house. The fridge is stocked with MDew but that’s it!
@Coach_Piv
Right?!?? Busiest 10 days of my summer. I need another 10 days to get all my notes into my computer. I made some improvements in my recruiting efforts though with new rocking lawnchairs that have a sunshade and packing my own cooler every time! Always room for improvements! 😀
Vacation is over. 🥲 We had a great week and would highly recommend Eureka Springs. We spent most of the ride home reflecting on previous vacations over the last 28 years and brainstorming for our next one. Until then, both of us go back to work this week!
@bray_chad
I had a GREAT birthday! I spent the afternoon shopping and went to dinner at Genji with Chad, Keri and Joaquin. There was sooo much laughing! My heart - and belly - are full!
@bray_chad
Sitting at a hs softball game today.
Random fan to my left to the random fan on my right: What’s the score?
Fan on right: 7-3
Me in middle: I think it’s 7-4.
Fan on left: What? How?
Fan on right: We’re talking about THE game - not this game.
Me: Of course. Duh. Sorry.
Congratulations to Emma Hofmaier, Abby Kemmetmueller, Mickayla Larsen, Izzy Monzon, Maddie Nekola, Emma Schnell, Rylee Scholl and Kymber Shallenberger who were named NFCA All-America Scholar-Athletes on Monday. The list included 7,527 collegiate softball players for 2021-2022!
It is too much to ask to get a four-day mini vacation where I don't have to hear the words: postpone, cancel, delay, push back, fluid, unprecedented ... ???
Is there anything better than getting to watch these WCWS games with the crew of Beth Mowins, Michele Smith, Jessica Mendoza and Holly Rowe?!? They are so knowledgable and seem to really have a great time together. I can feel the female empowerment each broadcast!
I’ve had a lot of people lately ask me if I’m excited for our fall softball season to start. I answer “Yes!” But honestly I’m scared. I’m SO excited to see my team this weekend but will be devastated if the rug gets pulled out from under us again and we lose our fall season too.
100 degree day?!?? Of course that’s the day we’d have four hours of small hitting groups scheduled! Thankful for
@RyanGlatter
,
@amberrschubert
, freezie pops and sprinklers!
I’ve heard all the fuss over Crumbl Cookies but it wasn’t until this weekend that I really understood. The PB&J cookie is quite possibly the best cookie I’ve ever had.
@CrumblCookies
I’m looking forward to an upcoming vacation with Chad! It could easily be our most relaxing vacation ever and will be a “Bucket List” trip for sure. When we booked the trip back in February I had no idea how crazy our life would be over the last 8 weeks. Banff or bust!
@bray_chad
As our time with Rookie comes to an end, now would be a good time to mention he’s been dreaming about entering the transfer portal. Haha. Just kidding Bruins fans!
@bray_chad
@BruinsSoftball1
Chad thinks I’m not quite grasping “vacation.” My second day of vacation was spent cleaning windows on the hottest day of the year and my third day was spent working a showcase camp. When is a good time to tell him I’m going into the office for a few hours in the morning?
When your favorite musician is performing less than 4 miles from your house - you just HAVE to go! Even if it means going right after softball practice and on a school night! 😀
I overheard a mom talking at the 8-and-under game at CSM tonight: Brittney was so excited for the first game tonight. She was dressed in her full uniform - including cleats - at 10 am this morning!
I love the Easter basket I got today - the bling on the styrofoam cooler looks hilarious! And the Mountain Dew inside was nice and cold! Thanks Lexi! ❤️🔥🥎
My niece Annika is going on an amazing adventure for grad school in Taipei, Taiwan! It was great to spend time with her and Leslie on the “Farewell Tour!” What a courageous young woman with a bright future! Thanks for the fun weekend!
Some photos from a day at the ballpark: one with one of my handsome assistants, one with the cute team mascot and one with my new Mountain Dew hat from Tony and Gabby!
The pranks continue: When Doane SID Rick Schmuecker
@ReallyTheRick
saw what my team did to me with the Diet Mountain Dew on April 1st - he had to one-up-them by giving me Mountain Lightning! I think the GPAC SIDs need an NIL deal with Mtn Dew! We all ❤️ the Dew!
@MountainDew
I’m so proud of my former player/assistant coach April Sherburne for getting a full-time nursing job at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids! But I’m also so sad to lose an amazing assistant! Congrats
@aprilamber04
My mom passed away 25 years ago today. It seems so long ago. We were supposed to be playing a DH at GAC that day but the Weather Gods struck St. Peter the night before and so I was home with my family in Red Wing. ❤️
We took advantage of Chipotle’s BOGO deal if you wore a hockey jersey into the restaurant. I just thought we were there for the free food, but it turned into a support group session for Chad when another Wild fan walked in.
We are very excited to announce our partnership with the University of Nebraska Omaha. Part of partnership is the sharing of facilities and allowing our students to attend any UNO athletic events for free by showing their CSM IDs. Students, groups/teams can go enjoy UNO events.
Our first Maverick hockey game of the season was action-packed with photos by “the fish” and Chad playing “Rapid Fire” on the jumbotron. Chad lost at the game and so did the Mavericks.
@bray_chad