Stellar Student Seavers Succeeds in Softball

Ridgewood native and The College of New Jersey senior softball player Ellen Seavers was named to the 2010 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District First Team.

The award, which is based on a combination of academic and athletic excellence, is one of many Seavers has received for her excellent play this past season.

"It is truly incredible to be recognized this way," she said. "I am still surprised when I get up to bat and hear another coach say 'Heads up, good hitter.' Sometimes, it's surreal to think other teams see me as a threat."

The ESPN award is based on a combination of athletic and academic achievement. Seavers finished her season with a .359 average and 33 RBIs, fourth in NJAC for batting, while maintaining a 3.97 GPA, majoring in childhood education and psychology.

"I have always been teased by my teammates for being a nerd," she said. "This is a special honor to me."

The distinction is one of many Seavers has received since graduating Ridgewood High School in 2006. Seavers is a four-time TCNJ Scholar Athlete and was named to the All NJAC First Team for the third straight season. Most recently, she was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association East Region First team for the second year in a row.

Seavers, a four-year starter at shortstop, does her best not to get distracted by the attention.

"[My teammates and I] don't really talk about that stuff," she said. "I don't look at my stats, and refuse to listen to my family discuss them. I prefer to take each game at a time and lead by example. The parents are the ones who really keep track of stats and honors. It's wonderful to have dedicated parents who support you, whether you're their kid or not."

Seavers's recent successes come from a lifetime of participation in sports. Her father, Ed Seavers, has been involved in Ridgewood youth sports since 1986, coaching softball, baseball and soccer and serving as president of the Ridgewood Sports Council. He coached his daughter on several teams during her time in the village.

"Sometimes, it was hard to be the coach's daughter," she said. "I would have never succeeded as well as I have if not for his involvement. I am lucky to have such a supportive family. My siblings traveled to Florida to support the team, my mother comes to games when she gets off from work, and my dad has been to every game this year."

The TCNJ Lions have had a successful season, finishing with a 33-10 record. They won the NJAS regular season title and received a bid to the 2010 NCAA Division III Tournament, losing to Morivan Collage. 

Despite her talents for softball, Seavers doesn't see herself making a career out of it.

"As of right now, I don't have any plans to join any teams," she said. "After graduating, I plan to teach in an elementary school. I love working with young children—third, fourth or fifth grade would be ideal."

She also doesn't plan on returning to the village any time soon.

"My sister works at the high school, and my dad is very involved in the sports programs," she said. "I've grown up in Ridgewood all my life. It's time for me to make my own path in a new place."