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Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
(article posted by Lauren Brightmore, Student Sports Information Assistant)
Apr. 18, 2011 - Stealing is second nature to senior Erin Drennan - at least when it comes to bases. Using speed to her advantage, Drennan has been an integral part of the North Central College softball team. For the past four years, Drennan has put together quite the legacy for the Cardinals' program.
In 2010, she batted .308 with eleven stolen bases and had a fielding percentage of .971. Her success didn't end there though, as she became a member of the program's elite 100-hit club, ending the season with 121 hits. Drennan closed up the year as a NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) at-large selection for the All-Great Lakes Region Third Team.
Drennan has kept the momentum going this spring, leading the team in stolen bases (11), hits (37), and runs scored (29). Her batting average is an impressive .398, indicative of her desire to get on base and score for the team. When Drennan isn't thinking about softball, she is focused on her studies. The elementary education major has made great strides in academia. She was an inductee for the school's National College Athlete Honor Society last year and has been a two-time Academic All-CCIW (College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin) recipient.
Get to Know Erin Drennan
Q: How long have you been playing softball?
A: I have been playing softball for 16 years, starting when I was five.
Q: What is it like to play softball at North Central with you sister, Colleen Drennan?
A: It's great. Our only experience playing together was in high school when she was a freshman and I was a senior. Because of the age gap, it's really cool that we can play together again and just learn from one another.
Q: Have you done your student teaching yet?
A: I did. I was placed in a third grade classroom at a school out in Woodridge, Illinois. It went so well and was honestly the best experience of my life
Q: What has been your favorite education class at North Central?
A: My favorite education class would probably be EDN 330: Teaching the Exceptional Child with Professor Carballo. I was able to take what I learned from that course and implement it into my student teaching. I liked how the class generated ideas that I could use in my actual classroom.
Q: In general, what is your teaching philosophy?
A: I believe in hands-on learning for kids. They should experience a subject rather than be told about it. This way they can learn for themselves. I also believe in cooperative learning, where the students learn from one another. They can express their knowledge of school topics and even everyday things like manners.
Q: Ideally, what age would you want to teach?
A: I would take any grade if offered, but I would love to teach third, fourth, or fifth graders. At that age they're not too old where school is not cool. They still want to learn and are interested in the information you teach them.
Q: What are the team's goals for the season?
A: We want to win conference, go to regionals, win 30 games, and have the highest grade point average for a spring-season team.
Q: Do you have any pre-game superstitions or rituals?
A: We have a lot of little handshakes and rituals within the team. We put on a clubhouse mix before every game to get pumped up. Mostly, everyone does the same things before each game, like having the same partner and hitting in a specific order.
Q: Do you have a favorite cheer?
A: The rhythm clap—it's my favorite. One person will start clapping, and then another person will add a different beat. It sounds so cool to me.
Q: Do you plan on playing softball after college?
A: I do. This summer I'm actually signed up for a 12-inch coed softball league.
Q: Who are your role models?
A: My mom Kim is one because she does everything in the world for me. Coach Kulawiak is another role model. He's tough, but you know he's that way because he cares about you and wants you to succeed. I really appreciate his philosophy on coaching. My teammate Mary Caron is another one. She is so nice, does well in school, and is basically the greatest person I've ever met.
Q: What activities are you involved in outside of the College?
A: I work for an after school program in Woodridge and tutor a high school student in math and Spanish.
Q: What are some important plays or events that you remember in your career at North Central?
A: For the team, winning the conference tournament my freshman year was very memorable. Winning the13-inning game against Illinois Wesleyan University also sticks out. Personally, I remember running into the fence to catch a ball sophomore and junior year.
Q: Last year you were honored by the NFCA as an All-Great Lakes Region Third Team. What was that experience like for you?
A: The selection was such a great honor. It's always nice to be recognized by the coaches.
Q: What is your favorite part about playing softball?
A: My favorite part about playing softball is the competition. You're playing for something that matters. When I'm done with college ball, I'll play on coed team, but winning or losing won't really matter as much. The competition is what I'm going to miss the most, along with the team aspect. You can't win without each other.
Q: Reaching your 100th career hit as of last year, do you have a new goal for this season?
A: I don't really worry about personal stats. I just care if we win and that I get on base. I guess we can say 150 is a goal.
Q: What was it like to play in Arizona over spring break?
A: Arizona is always amazing. The ball carries out there because the air is less dense, so we usually come back with pretty high averages. We always seem to struggle coming back here though. I don't know if it's the temperature or just a mindset, but this year we handled ourselves pretty well. We had a little skid against Aurora University, but overall we came together as a team. The trip is nice because we get to know each other and spend time together.
Q: What are some of your favorite softball or baseball teams besides North Central?
A: I enjoy watching the Olympic team play softball, but the Boston Red Sox are my favorite professional team. I also like the University of Arizona's college team.
Q: Would you like to beat the record for stolen bases, currently held by Jamie Wieczorek (07')?
A: I would love to. I had no idea I was even close until Coach said something in the beginning of the fall. But yes, that would be a record I would like to have. At the same time though, I have to keep in mind that it's all about the team. Stealing bases at the right time is necessary, but stealing it just to get the record isn't necessarily a smart thing to do
Q: Were you always really fast?
A: Yeah. I'm lucky I was blessed with speed.
Q: Do you have a hidden talent that no one really knows about ?
A: I can wiggle my ears. That is about as eccentric as I get.
