Today we head to Georgia to learn more about a standout sophomore who always wanted to go to the school where her dad played baseball… and she got her wish!

Name: CAMERON STANFORD
Grad Year: 2017
Pos: pitcher/outfielder
High School: Alpharetta (Ga.)
GPA: 3.8
Academics: All classes are Honors or AP
Club: Georgia Impact – Stanford                                           
Stats: hitting .360 in two years of varsity softball; had .426 on-page percentage this year with only two strikeouts in 41 at-bats.
College: Georgia Tech

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FullCountSoftball.com: You father is your coach on the Impact team… what’s the best and worst thing about playing for your dad?
Cameron Stanford: I’d say the best thing about playing for my dad would be having the ability to learn more off the field. Since my dad is a coach, I am able to learn about the game from a coach’s perspective too, so I hear more than most players do about strategy and game management when we’re away from the field. Sometimes we watch games on TV together and talk about what we see. The worst thing about playing for my dad would be that my best and worst fan (sometimes!) is the one making the lineup. Everyone’s parents are probably harshest on their kid and it can be a very good thing at times but, it can also be the worst thing.

FCS.com: Are you and he able to leave softball on the field or does it spill over in every other area of life?
CS: My family is a very sports-oriented family with one of my older sisters playing college softball at Young Harris College and my dad being my coach so softball is very much a part of what we do together as a family.

FCS.com: What drives you or is the thing you’re most passionate about in life?
CS: I am very passionate about accomplishing my goals. Setting goals drives me to do just about anything I do, whether it is doing great in a class or getting recruited, specifically by Georgia Tech. Doing everything in my power to get where I want to be in order to accomplish such goals is something I enjoy.

FCS.com: How did Georgia Tech come to discover you? How long after they first saw you were you offered? And did the offer come to you directly or through your coach(es)?
CS: Playing at Georgia Tech has always been a life-long goal and I have always been a Tech fan. My dad played baseball there so I went to a lot of football games when I was younger and grew up going to GT softball camps too. Recruiting-wise, they discovered me through my training coach, Stacy Tamborra, and saw me at qualifiers, showcases and camps. I emailed the coaches a lot and maybe that sparked real recruiting interest. They came to see me in showcases and tournaments all over the country, actually. I saw them at the Team New Jersey showcase last summer and in California last year at PGF Nationals. They first saw me the fall of my freshman year in a showcase and they offered me in September this year, so maybe about a year afterwards. My offer came to me through my dad. Coach (Jake) Jury at Georgia Tech called my dad, they talked and he gave me an offer. My dad called me at school with the news—I was really excited. That’s how it all happened.

FCS.com: So you’re excited to be staying in-state to play for an ACC program? Did you ever really consider some programs out of state too?
CS: Yes! I am stoked about staying in the Southeast. I was open to traveling away from home to play, but the closer I got to the idea of playing out of state, I realized I’d really wanted to stay close to home. It’s pretty warm here and close to my family, which is important. So, getting the chance to play in the ACC for my favorite school is awesome! Go Jackets!

FCS.com: When did you decide to commit and what led into the decision?
CS: I decided to commit the night after Day 1 of my visit to Georgia Tech. Before I even visited the dorm rooms, gym, softball facilities, or even the athletic department with the coaches and players at Tech, I loved the idea of going to a school with such a high academic reputation. What really led me to my decision most were the coaches, players, and other recruits I met during my visit. I really felt welcome.  The relationship of the team is very family-oriented and I really loved how much fun everyone has with each other on the team. They were awesome.

FCS.com: Was there an “aha” moment when it just clicked and you knew where you were supposed to go? If so, walk us through that…
CS: I’ve always wanted to go there since I want to study Engineering, I loved its location, so when I got to meet and hang out the coaches and team, I really fell in love with the school even more. It is amazing that it all worked out the way I pictured it.

FCS.com: Describe your emotions around telling them, were you more nervous or more excited?
CS: Day 2 of my visit I knew I was going to commit and that day I was much more excited than nervous to tell (Head) Coach (Shelly) Hoerner that I was going to commit. She welcomed me to the Tech family with open arms and I am so excited I got that opportunity.

FCS.com: What do you think (or have others said) are your strengths as a softball player?
CS: I would have to say my greatest strengths as a softball player would be my ability to stay positive and to pick people up on the field. I always try to keep my head up and just have fun with whatever my team and I are doing on the field.

FCS.com: What’s been a top memory or two for you in your athletic career?
CS: I would have to say one of my top memories in my athletic career would be hitting a walk-off homer in a PGF qualifier. It’s the best feeling in the world to round third and see your entire team screaming at the top of their lungs and waiting for you at home.

 

Quick Hitters

 

When you think of Georgia Tech, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?
“I’m a Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech and a heck of an engineer!”

Fill in the blank… the greatest thing about softball is:
… the fact that I can show up to almost any park in the country and find people I know.

Favorite color & least favorite color:
Favorite color would be royal blue and my least would be orange.

Thing you wouldn’t be caught dead doing or wearing!
I would never see myself skydiving; I am pretty terrified of heights.

Least favorite characteristic in a person:
People who take themselves too seriously.

What’s your dream vacation?
My dream vacation would be to the Caribbean with my best friends and going scuba diving with them on the trip.

If your school had a talent show and you HAD to do something, what would it be?
My friends and I would probably come up with some crazy skit that was ridiculous and have a blast on stage.

What’s something unusual or different about you that few know?
I love older music (like 50’s and 60’s music) and also I absolutely love going to Broadway shows in New York City.

How would your friends describe you in one word?
Joyful or thoughtful.

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take one thing with you, what would it be?
My iPod… I love listening to my music.

Do you have any softball superstitions or rituals?
No. Actually, I would prefer playing with a towel in my back pocket but would not say it’s a superstition.

What’s your philosophy of life?
Always find a way to have fun in as many things as possible

Team you love to root against:
UGA (Georgia).

What’s your “guilty pleasure,” something you hate to admit you love?
My guilty pleasure would probably be that I love 50’s and 60’s music or classic Disney movies.

If you could have a super power, what would you want it to be?
Flying.

What’s playing in your earphones/buds right now?
Maroon 5, Bruno Mars, and Ed Sheeran.

If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be?
I would have to say it would be awesome to have dinner with Ellen Degeneres because she is one of the funniest women on television and it would be awesome to meet her.

What did you want to be when you were little?
Growing up I told everyone I wanted to be a “major league softball player” or an astronaut.

Best advice you’ve ever received:
Relax, have fun, and make things as simple as possible.

Nickname(s):
Cam-a-roo

Something on your “must do” list:
Must do’s would be spending more time in New York City, skiing in Colorado, and scuba diving in Hawaii.

Best thing about being from Georgia:
There is very high level softball in the state I get to play in and there is delicious Southern food!

Funniest thing you’ve ever seen on a softball field:
The funniest thing I have seen on a softball field would have to be when an umpire went to a squatting position to call the next pitch and his pants ripped. He had to stop the game and go get a new pair of pants.

The holidays are a time for appreciation… what are you most thankful for?
I am most thankful for all of the hard work my parents have put into my success on the field. My dad has been my coach since I started when I was four and I am thankful for all of their time and effort they have put in to help me succeed.

What’s the No. 1 request on your Santa gift list?
A Six Flags Over Georgia season pass.