American Gold Sports Alliance

MARCH 2021 ATHLETE OF THE MONTH

ALYSSA CALLANS

SOFTBALL

Alyssa Callans is a native of Joliet, Illinois and is currently a graduate student at Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri. Callans played all four years of college at Maryville, playing as a pitcher and utility player. Just this season, Callans has pitched in 10 games, with two no-hitters and a perfect game! In her  55 innings pitched, she’s recorded 83 strikeouts, 18 walks, and a .75 ERA. She was named GLVC Softball Pitcher of the Week and the Wilson/NFCA Division II Softball Pitcher of the Week Award. 

10 Questions With Alyssa

1. Why did you decide to major in physical therapy?

My dad is a firefighter EMT, and my mom was an EMT but is now a nurse. I knew I wanted to be in the medical profession but I’m not sure how physical therapy came to be. I just really like the idea of working with athletes

2. What is your favorite thing about playing softball?

My favorite thing is the challenge. Each game I appreciate it more and how it pushes me to be more confident. Softball helps me embrace what is difficult and overcome it to help my teammates to reach their full potential. 

3. What has been one of the biggest challenges you have faced throughout your career and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge is doing school and softball and trying to succeed maximally at both. It definitely has been hard, but just trying to find a balance between the two and being present and giving my all to both academics and softball.

4. What is your pregame routine?

I like to go to church before games, eat a big breakfast because I don’t like eating between games (hotel eggs, peanut butter sandwich, and coffee) I don’t usually listen to music, I like silence. Not much of a routine, but be more content and get ready for the game.

5. What are you most looking forward to this season?

I am most looking forward to everybody realizing and showing their full potential because we know we have so much talent, especially hitting-wise, but we don’t believe it yet. We should not settle for anything less. I’m looking forward to having fun this season overall.

6. How would you describe your experience throwing a no-hitter and a perfect game in the same weekend?

Honestly, the night after the no-hitter I kind of got nervous thinking ahead of the next day. How would I follow that up?  I was worried about messing it up. I kept the same mindset and kept it simple. Didn’t do too much, just threw pitches where they were supposed to be thrown and focussed on doing my part. It just worked out. I kept my mindset the same. My defense was behind me, handling the pressure of the game. They had my back behind me and made the plays they needed to make for the game. 

7. What are you most proud of in your career thus far?

Probably the weekend of the no-hitter and perfect game. This season I have done better in finishing games than I have in the past. It is something I have struggled with as a pitcher, having a good game then letting it go in the last few innings, being able to finish two full games strong, and then bringing that into other games since then is something I am proud of and hope to keep doing for the team. 

8. Who do you look up to?

My dad. He has taught me how to believe in myself and to remain calm and to trust the process and always remember to give everything my all. He is a very influential guy, he’s not loud, but he has influenced me a lot in his quiet calmness and his kindness.

9. What advice do you have for young, aspiring college athletes?

Anything that’s worth doing is going to require your best and a lot of work, but it’s worth it. Once you achieve your goal, you have to keep working hard and apply yourself. Your future is worth all of your efforts. What you become is dependent on how much you invest in it. 

10. What is it like coming back to play this season as a graduate student, after having your senior season taken away due to the pandemic?

I feel like everyday, I think how much easier life would be without softball right now, but then five seconds later I realize how grateful I am to have this opportunity to play another season. I feel like i wasnt done when the season was over last year. I havent given everything i had yet to softball. I wasnt ready to hang up my cleats just yet. I am just so grateful to be able to have the actual season and opportunity to hang up the cleats in a more positive way. And not only give what i have talent wise, but also knowledge wise. Especially towards the younger players and the freshman.. It has always been one of my favorite things. Wanted to give what I could knowledge wise and encourage the younger players. It has always been one of my favorite things as an upperclassman. I can’t imagine life without the sport…..

Featured Articles About Alyssa

Shingler, Callans, and Tolley Earn All-GLVC Softball Recognition

•
AOTM, Athlete Spotlight, Softball, Women's Sports

The Maryville University softball team picked up three selections to the 2021 All-Great Lakes Valley Conference team as announced Wednesday by the …

Callans Tosses a Perfect Game to Defeat Parkside 5-0

•
AOTM, Athlete Spotlight, Softball, Women's Sports

Jim Powers – Coordinator of Athletic Communications St. Louis – For the second consecutive day, Alyssa Callans tossed a no-hitter to lead the Maryville …

Callans Named GLVC Softball Pitcher of the Week

•
AOTM, Athlete Spotlight, Softball, Women's Sports

Jim Powers – Coordinator of Athletic Communications Maryville University senior Alyssa Callans was selected as the Great Lakes Valley Conference Softball Pitcher of the …

Callans Claims Wilson/NFCA Division II Softball Pitcher of the Week Award

•
AOTM, Athlete Spotlight, Softball, Women's Sports

Jim Powers – Coordinator of Athletic Communications Louisville, Ky. – Maryville University graduate student pitcher Alyssa Callans was named the Wilson/National Fastpitch Coaches Association National …

"Your future is worth all of your efforts. What you become is dependent on how much you invest in it."

Alyssa Callans
@AGSASports
@AGSASports
@AGSAGold

MARCH 2021 ATHLETE OF THE MONTH

ALYSSA CALLANS

Softball

Alyssa Callans is a native of Joliet, Illinois and is currently a graduate student at Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri. Callans played all four years of college at Maryville, playing as a pitcher and utility player. Just this season, Callans has pitched in 10 games, with two no-hitters and a perfect game! In her  55 innings pitched, she’s recorded 83 strikeouts, 18 walks, and a .75 ERA. She was named GLVC Softball Pitcher of the Week and the Wilson/NFCA Division II Softball Pitcher of the Week Award. 

1. Why did you decide to major in physical therapy? ​

My dad is a firefighter EMT, and my mom was an EMT but is now a nurse. I knew I wanted to be in the medical profession but I’m not sure how physical therapy came to be. I just really like the idea of working with athletes

2. What is your favorite thing about playing softball? ​

My favorite thing is the challenge. Each game I appreciate it more and how it pushes me to be more confident. Softball helps me embrace what is difficult and overcome it to help my teammates to reach their full potential. 

3. What has been one of the biggest challenges you have faced throughout your career and how did you overcome it?​

The biggest challenge is doing school and softball and trying to succeed maximally at both. It definitely has been hard, but just trying to find a balance between the two and being present and giving my all to both academics and softball.

4. What is your pregame routine?​

I like to go to church before games, eat a big breakfast because I don’t like eating between games (hotel eggs, peanut butter sandwich, and coffee) I don’t usually listen to music, I like silence. Not much of a routine, but be more content and get ready for the game.

5. What are you most looking forward to this season?​

I am most looking forward to everybody realizing and showing their full potential because we know we have so much talent, especially hitting-wise, but we don’t believe it yet. We should not settle for anything less. I’m looking forward to having fun this season overall.

6. How would you describe your experience throwing a no-hitter and a perfect game in the same weekend? ​

Honestly, the night after the no-hitter I kind of got nervous thinking ahead of the next day. How would I follow that up?  I was worried about messing it up. I kept the same mindset and kept it simple. Didn’t do too much, just threw pitches where they were supposed to be thrown and focussed on doing my part. It just worked out. I kept my mindset the same. My defense was behind me, handling the pressure of the game. They had my back behind me and made the plays they needed to make for the game. 

10 Questions With Alyssa Callans

7. What are you most proud of in your career thus far?​

Probably the weekend of the no-hitter and perfect game. This season I have done better in finishing games than I have in the past. It is something I have struggled with as a pitcher, having a good game then letting it go in the last few innings, being able to finish two full games strong, and then bringing that into other games since then is something I am proud of and hope to keep doing for the team. 

8. Who do you look up to?​

My dad. He has taught me how to believe in myself and to remain calm and to trust the process and always remember to give everything my all. He is a very influential guy, he’s not loud, but he has influenced me a lot in his quiet calmness and his kindness.

9. What advice do you have for young, aspiring college athletes? ​

Anything that’s worth doing is going to require your best and a lot of work, but it’s worth it. Once you achieve your goal, you have to keep working hard and apply yourself. Your future is worth all of your efforts. What you become is dependent on how much you invest in it. 

10. What is it like coming back to play this season as a graduate student, after having your senior season taken away due to the pandemic? ​

I feel like every day, I think how much easier life would be without softball right now, but then five seconds later I realize how grateful I am to have this opportunity to play another season. I feel like I wasn’t done when the season was over last year. I haven’t given everything I had yet to softball. I wasn’t ready to hang up my cleats just yet. I am just so grateful to be able to have the actual season and opportunity to hang up the cleats in a more positive way. And not only give what I have talent-wise, but also knowledge-wise. Especially towards the younger players and the freshman. It has always been one of my favorite things. Wanted to give what I could knowledge-wise and encourage the younger players. It has always been one of my favorite things as an upperclassman. I can’t imagine life without the sport…..

"Your future is worth all your efforts. What you become is dependent on how much you invest in it."

Alyssa Callans

Featured Articles About Alyssa

Shingler, Callans, and Tolley Earn All-GLVC Softball Recognition

•
AOTM, Athlete Spotlight, Softball, Women's Sports

The Maryville University softball team picked up three selections to …

Callans Tosses a Perfect Game to Defeat Parkside 5-0

•
AOTM, Athlete Spotlight, Softball, Women's Sports

Jim Powers – Coordinator of Athletic Communications St. Louis – …

@AGSASports
@AGSASports
@AGSAGold

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