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News Release

GRADUATING SENIOR MEGAN OURSLER OFF TO SWEDEN FOR SUMMER SOFTBALL LEAGUE

5/13/2005

Megan Oursler is heading to Sweden to play softball after graduation.

After years of schooling and education, the date of graduation from college sends individuals in different directions.  For some graduates it is heading off on exotic trips and vacations while others jump right into the work force, putting their education to use.  For graduating senior Megan Oursler it is continuing to do what she loves in playing softball and combining it with a chance to see a new part of the world as she is set to head to Sweden to play softball during the summer of 2005. 

“I am very excited to have the opportunity to travel over seas and to meet new people,” said Oursler.  “I have never been outside the U.S. so seeing a whole new culture will be a great experience.”

Softball in Sweden is a minor sport with eight-teams divided into A and B Groups.  While the season started in mid May, Megan will join her team after graduation, playing for the Karlslund IF Eagles in the city of Örebro.  Karlslund is in the three-team Group B division but will play teams from the five-team Group A division as well.

“The best part about this opportunity is that I get to keep playing softball,” added Oursler.  “There is an overwhelming feeling you get when you realize that this is your last year playing softball, but knowing that I get to keep playing is a great feeling.”

Oursler, who is the first known Retriever softball player to play over seas, will not be the only Retrievers heading to Sweden as Assistant Softball Coach Bill Gilbert will be running some clinics with various teams and programs, including working with Oursler’s team for five to six days.

“Coach Gilbert is the one who really made the trip possible,” said Oursler.  “He has helped me get everything together that would be needed to make the transfer.  He has provided me with pictures, web pages, and several notes on conversational Swedish so I can learn the language.  He has been there to answer any questions about Europe and what I need to bring, or leave home.  Coach Gilbert will also be going over for a few weeks as a pitching coach so I am relieved to know that there will be a familiar face there to help me get situated.”

While Oursler will enjoy a friendly face she will also be able to experience the culture and work with many younger aspiring athletes.  The city of Örebro, which is two hours outside Sweden’s capital city Stockholm, is in southern Sweden, a canal port near Lake Hjälmaren, and the capital of Örebro County.  Örebro is one of the oldest settlements in Sweden and is known for their biggest industry of manufacturing shoes.  The city is filled with cafes, restaurants and still contains a number of medieval structures.

Making the trip more fulfilling, Megan will also be helping coaching a senior league and training beginners and youth as she spreads the sport she loves to play.  Oursler’s league runs through the end of August with playoffs in September, giving her the opportunity to experience a different culture and put to good use her experiences from being a student-athlete at UMBC.

“Megan is a class act in every sense of the way,” said UMBC Softball Head Coach Joe French.  “She will represent UMBC in a very professional manner and we wish her the best of luck.”