Get to know UTSA softball student-athlete Ava Eldridge in this Q&A.
Q: Why did you choose UTSA?
Ava Eldridge: "I chose UTSA because, when I came on my visit, I felt so welcomed by everyone and the feeling of a family from just a couple short days. I couldn't have asked for more."
Q: What do you like most about being a student-athlete at UTSA?
Ava Eldridge: "At UTSA, they really try to put us athletes first, making sure we are happy with everything. The community is like no other here; they support us through every sport and I feel it's something you don't see at a lot of other places."
Q: How did you first get involved with playing softball?
Ava Eldridge: "My mom played softball all through high school so, of course, from a young age, my mom started practicing with me and putting me on competitive teams. She was also a pitcher, so she had me start learning to pitch as early as 5 years old and it's just progressed since then."
Q: What are you majoring in and what do you hope to do following your athletic career?
Ava Eldridge: "I am majoring in sociology. After I finish my athletic career, I plan to go into the fire academy to later become a firefighter."
Q: What is an interesting fact that most people might not know about you?
Ava Eldridge: "I have a twin brother who is going to school at Texas State. He is majoring in law."
Q: Who has been the most influential people in your life and why?
Ava Eldridge: "The most influential person in my life has definitely got to be my Papa Gerald. He has always been someone that I've looked up to as he served in the Marines and received three Purple Hearts while in the military. Just seeing him with that fight to keep going back just shows how great of a person he is. Even with all of these injuries, he still shows up and watches every single one of my games. No matter the circumstances, he's always been there."
Q: Who is your sports role model?
Ava Eldridge: "My biggest role model has always been Cat Osterman. She's someone who has done just about anything a softball player could dream of but, even with all of her accomplishments, she's still giving back to the younger generations, coaching younger select teams and announcing many of our games."
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