2008 Hall of Fame Inductee
Most record breaking streaks have a certain pattern of success from beginning to end, particularly those that deal with home runs. Not many begin with one in a season and end with the batter as the NCAA Division III home run champion.
“It was totally unexpected,” former Blue Streak catcher Carrie McVicker said. “I never thought I would lead DIII in home runs.”
McVicker’s surprise continued in 1998 as she was voted to be the Most Valuable Catcher in the nation after her 14 home run season.
“That was the first time an OAC catcher was given the distinction,” she said. “It was good to get that recognition for our program and the conference.”
Today her 14 home runs in one season stands as the school record, but her career home run record was broken by current JCU catcher Jamie Smrdel, someone who McVicker has yet to meet.
“I knew the record would eventually be broken,” McVicker said. “Still holding the single season record is important for me.”
The sixth grade teacher currently works at Denison, a K-8 school in Cleveland. What is most important for McVicker is becoming only the second softball player to make the hall of fame.
Her record setting career included more home runs than most could remember. However, two separate games stand out for McVicker. As a junior her first home run of the year gave a freshman pitcher her first career win and as a senior she gave the game ball to her father on her birthday after a three home run game.
While her record setting home runs will always hold a special place for her, McVicker’s Jesuit education was an equally important part of her four years in University Heights.
“The discipline I learned taught me to be prepared ahead of time,” she said. “I always had to multi-task with academics and athletics because school was equally important as softball.”
As a first-ballot Hall of Fame selection, McVicker joined yet another elite class of JCU athletes,
something that is not unfamiliar to the home run champion.
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