Dec. 20, 2011

NOTRE DAME, Ind. –

Coach Gumpf Honorary Presentation

Editor’s Note: Over the past two weeks, the Monogram Club has released a series of video features highlighting key Club events held during the 2011 football campaign. Earlier editions included highlights of the Dan Devine sculpture dedication and the fall letter jacket ceremony.

The dedication of the Charles and Marie Doherty Batting Cages – featuring a special honorary Monogram presentation to head coach Deanna Gumpf – highlighted a landmark morning for the Notre Dame softball program Nov. 19 on the grounds of Melissa Cook Stadium.

More than 100 members of the Irish softball family attended the special ceremony, emceed by deputy athletics director Bill Scholl (’79). In addition to Gumpf and assistant coaches Kris Ganeff (’99) and Lizzy Lemire (’01), attendees included former All-Americans Jarrah Myers (’02) and Megan Ciolli (’05), as well as Nicole deFau (’04), Heather Booth (’06), Sarah Smith (’08) and Stephanie Mola (’09).

The honorary Monogram came as a complete surprise to the emotional Gumpf, who was presented with a scroll and a Monogram jacket by the Club’s executive director, Beth Hunter.

“Notre Dame is a very, very special place and I look out and see the girls and the alumni and I am so lucky to have you guys in my life,” Gumpf said. “I always say Notre Dame is such a special place because it makes everybody better who comes here, but it’s the people who walk out of here who make each other better.”

To see video highlights from the ceremony, including a tribute to Coach Gumpf from Monogram winner Kas Hoag (’02), click here.

— ND —