Nov. 18, 2003
University of Notre Dame head softball coach Deanna Gumpf has announced two student-athletes have signed national letters-of-intent to enroll next year and compete for the Fighting Irish.
Shortstop Katharine (Katie) Laing and IF/OF Brittany Glynn will make up the class of 2008.
“We signed two quality athletes who will contribute a great deal to the success of our progam,” Gumpf says.
“Katie and Brittany are excellent additions to Notre Dame softball.”
Laing hails from Tempe, Arizona, and played at Corona del Sol High School, the same program as current Irish freshman Stephanie Brown.
“We went out looking for the best shortstop in the country and we found her in Katie,” Gumpf says.
“I would put her up defensively against any player in the nation. In addition to defense, she brings passion, determination and enthusiasm to our program.”
Laing was a Wendy’s High School Heisman national nominee in 2003 while earning all-Arizona honors. She was the Corona del Sol Defensive Player of the Year in ’02, hitting .410 to post the fourth-highest batting average in her area. Along with Brown, Katie helped her ASA team, the CA Firecrackers, place third at nationals in 2002 and helped Corona del Sol win the 5A state championship in ’03.
“There are no words to describe how excited I am,” Laing says.
“I never thought that I could be a part of something so incredible and signing with Notre Dame made me realize that it won’t be long until I get to actually join the team and the University. I anxiously await the day that I can put on an Irish jersey for the first time.”
Glynn continues a strong tradition of Connecticut players at Notre Dame. Following in a line from Kas Hoag (’02) and current senior Nicole deFau, Glynn played on the same ASA team, Tradition, and is from the same area (Seymour, Conn.) as both Irish players.
“Brittany is a perfect fit for Notre Dame,” Gumpf says.
“She epitomizes the Notre Dame student-athlete. I believe that she will knock down walls for Notre Dame. Brittany is one of the best players coming out of Connecticut and was a member of one of its most well-recognized ASA programs (Tradition).”
Glynn hit .534 in 2003 with an .810 slugging percentage and .672 on-base percentage. She was the team MVP at St. Joseph High School while being extremely active in volunteer and extra curricular activities.
“Notre Dame has been my dream since I was three years old,” Glynn says.
“I have worked my entire life to play softball for Notre Dame – nothing could make me happier than I am right now. When I stepped on to campus I knew that Notre Dame was my home.”
Glynn played third base and will be used in both the infield and outfield for Notre Dame next year.
Notre Dame Softball 2003 Signings
Katherine (Katie) Laing, 5-4, SS, R/R, Chandler, Ariz., Cornoa del Sol High School
Brittany Glynn, 5-3, INF/OF, R/R, Seymour, Conn., St. Joseph High School