2008 Woodie Awards
Far away from home
Venker goes from Netherlands to CMU softball's starting catcher
By: D.J. Palomares
Issue date: 3/28/08 Section: Sports
| |
|
But last year, she tutored a player who caught her eye.
Now, more than a year later, Ellen Venker is the starting catcher for the CMU softball team.
"I was looking to bring in a catcher that had some experience," Jonker said. "I felt that Ellen did have that experience; therefore, I felt that she couldn't feel intimidated by any of the opponents we might face."
Jonker was offered the head coaching job for the Dutch national team eight years ago, but declined because of her commitments to CMU.
"I didn't feel that I could do a fair job there or here, so I turned that down," Jonker said. "I started doing clinics on my annual trip to the Netherlands eight years ago, and I am of Dutch background. That is where the connection started, a long time ago."
As a member of the Dutch National Team, Venker has competed against national teams from Australia, Japan, China and the United States. Jonker said this experience would keep Venker from getting intimidated by the teams CMU will face.
However, Venker is eligible to play only one collegiate season under NCAA rules because of her age. At 25, she has been a part of the Dutch national program since 1997, but has never competed at a collegiate level because there are no softball programs in the Netherlands.
"I was hoping, when I initially contacted Ellen, that she would have enough eligibility to be able to get a degree here, because I am big on getting a degree," Jonker said.
Venker has completely changed the way she approaches training now that she has joined the Chippewas. The Dutch team does not hold daily practices, and rarely holds a team practice.
"It's great because I have the opportunity play at a high level and practice every day," Venker said. "Playing internationally, we only play a couple of tournaments each year. Everybody has a full-time job or goes to school, so we don't have the opportunity to practice every day or play a lot of games. It's totally different here."
For Venker, the transition to CMU's program has been smooth. She started at catcher in CMU's home opener against Valparaiso on Wednesday.
"I love being here," Venker said. "I love the girls, the crowd, the fans - I love everything about it here."
After her one season at CMU comes to an end, Venker will have the opportunity this summer to travel to Beijing to represent the Netherlands in the Olympics. It is the final time softball and baseball will be Olympic sports.
Venker was able to help the Dutch team win the Olympic qualifying tournament last summer. She will travel back to Holland once Central's season ends and will travel with the national team to a few more international games before the Olympics begin.
"She will be able to help us win a Mid-American Conference championship," Jonker said. "And she will be better suited to play in the upcoming international competition."
sports@cm-life.com
Be the first to comment on this story