Adding a sport to a college student’s schedule is not an easily done task, and adding two sports sounds like the work of someone who enjoys to be challenged throughout the year.
This is true for sophomore criminology major, Taylor Mack, playing both field hockey and softball. While Mack loves both sports she has a longer history with softball.
She got her start with the sport during the young age of 4 when she started to play t-ball. Her three older brothers, Chris, Scott and Kyle, all played baseball so after watching them play she became interested in playing herself. Then she started softball at the Rhawnhurst Recreation center in her home of Northeast Philadelphia.
With the support and influence from her father, Mack continued with softball until high school. During the beginning of her high school career she was playing softball for her high school team at St. Hubert’s in Philadelphia. Also during this time she played for the RBI Travel team of Philadelphia. This travel team is affiliated with the Philadelphia Phillies.
During her high school career Mack began to grow bored with the sport of softball since between the two teams she was playing all year long.
Then tragedy hit her life. During high school Mack’s father died. “Softball was something that we always did together. When I play I feel connected to him and after he died it seemed that I started softball all over again,” Mack said.
She used the RBI Travel team to stay in shape with softball. Since the travel team was more serious than her St. Hubert’s team she used this opportunity to have scouts watch her play.
But surprisingly enough softball wasn’t the reason Mack came to Cabrini.
After years of playing soccer Mack was ready for a new challenge. So her freshmen year of high school she joined the field hockey team at St. Hubert’s. Then she fell in love with the sport. Her sophomore year the coaches recognized her skills and put her on the varsity team where she faced new challenges.
“Our team was pretty bad, but I loved being a part of a team with such a great family atmosphere,” Mack said.
The summer beginning Cabrini Mack decided that she was only going to pursue field hockey at the colligate level. But her field hockey coach, Jackie Neary, had a great influence on Mack becoming a 2 sport athlete in college.
“I had lunch with Jackie over the summer before coming to Cabrini and she convinced me to continue with softball,” Mack said.
Then when Mitchelle Kline,the softball coach, reached out to Mack she tried out for the team regardless of her thoughts that she wasn’t good enough to play at the collegiate level.
“It’s been really good so far, I started for field hockey and softball last season and I am pretty happy that I made the decision to be a two-sport athlete,” Mack said.
Her teammates are very impressed with how Mack has been balancing college and sports. Her teammate on the field hockey team, junior Gabby Glenning says that Mack is one of the best contributions to a team.
“Constantly encouraging and supporting her teammates if they miss a shot or have a bad day,” Glenning said.
So far during her time at Cabrini Mack has played in 3 CSAC championship games, 2 for field hockey and one for softball. But Mack is determined to play in more CSAC championship games during her college career.
“Before I leave Cabrini I would love to come out with at least CSAC championship win,” Mack said.
On top of sports Mack is also the RA of Maguire House on campus. She is also very interested in her Criminology classes this semester. After graduation she anticipates to follow in her parents footsteps and become a Philadelphia Police officer.
