FROM STAFF REPORTS

MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The University of Montevallo recently announced the addition of softball as its 13th intercollegiate sport following approval by the school’s Board of Trustees in early August.

“Student-athletes at Montevallo enjoy a meaningful collegiate athletic experience highlighted by academic success, and softball will be an important addition to our athletics program,” said University of Montevallo President John W. Stewart III.

The team, which will begin its inaugural season in February 2015, will be the first softball team in the school’s history. Softball will become the eighth women’s sport offered by the University of Montevallo.

The team will practice and compete at the softball fields in the city of Montevallo’s Orr Park, which will be renovated to meet NCAA standards. The improvements will be made using funds from the university, Shelby County and the Montevallo Development Cooperative District, a three-member entity comprised of directors from the city of Montevallo, Shelby County and the University of Montevallo.

The team will be immediately eligible to participate in Peach Belt Conference and NCAA Division II Championship competition.

Montevallo will become the 13th member institution with a softball team in the Peach Belt Conference. Clayton State University will be the lone member without a softball team.

Montevallo will become the 288th member institution with a softball team in NCAA Division II, including the sixth NCAA Division II institution in the state of Alabama with a softball team. Other NCAA Division II schools offering softball as an intercollegiate sport in the state of Alabama include UAH, the University of North Alabama, Miles College, Stillman College and the University of West Alabama.