Gallagher Chats With Badger Fans
April 30, 2002 | Softball
Head softball coach Karen Gallagher held a chat on UWBADGERS.COM Tuesday afternoon, fielding questions from Badger fans.
Coach Gallagher answered questions regarding weather conditions, Big Ten play, and the upcoming Big Ten and NCAA tournaments. She also discussed her thoughts on the Goodman Diamond, beating then-No. 1 Arizona earlier this year and more.
The transcript of the chat follows.
ND fan: Where does Andrea Kirchberg rank among the players you've coached in your career'
Karen Gallagher: I've had an opportunity to coach two Olympic players at Cal, Michelle Grainger and Gillian Boxx and I would say Andrea Kirchberg is right behind them in my mind.
badgersoftie: i was sorry you had to cancel so many games the past 2 weekends. isnt it a disadvantage to other big ten schools, not to all play the same number of games.
Karen Gallagher: The weather is out of our control, but yes it is something we discuss every year among the Big Ten coaches, but every year is different. You hope at some level it evens out among the Big Ten teams so it doesn't affect winning percentages too much.
Chat Modertor: Let's take a question from e-mail. "What do you think needs to happen for the badgers to make a return trip to the NCAA tournament this year '"
Karen Gallagher: First of all, do well against Minnesota this weekend to put yourself in a good position in the Big Ten tournament and be successful at the Big Ten tournament. I think we're more than capable of winning the Big Ten tournament. I think if we can get to the championship day, that will be a huge factor in getting to the NCAAs.
badgersoftie: where do you draw most of your recruits from' have wisconsin high schools been improving in the kind of talent they produce'
Karen Gallagher: We recruit nationally. You'll find that every Big Ten school recruits nationally. But also, high school softball in Wisconsin has improved greatly. If you look at our roster we have several softball players from Wisconsin serving key roles on our team.
ND fan: Can you handicap the Big Ten race thus far and who do you think will make it to the Big Ten Tournament'
Karen Gallagher: I think that Iowa, Ohio State, Michigan are pretty much locks to go. I'm confident that we will be in it. Northwestern, Minnesota and Illinois are still in the mix in regards to earning a spot.
badgersoftie: how would you rate the goodman diamond among the big ten and nationally now that lights have been added'
Karen Gallagher: I would say, in the Big Ten, we are by far the best facility. Nationally, I would say we're in the top five.
badgersoftie: what is being done to draw more fans to the games ' do you think more softball games will be on radio or tv in the near future '
Karen Gallagher: Being a competitive Big Ten program always helps and I think weather issues help bring out the fans, but that's something we can't control. There's been discussion about moving the season back and that might help. Regarding radio or tv, that would definately help. They are broadcasting all the Women's College World Series games this year.
Whitey: Over the years there have been a number of supberb men fast pitch pitchers from New Zealand that have played in Madison. Any potential women recruits from New Zealand'
Karen Gallagher: At this point, I have had no intentions of recruiting from New Zealand, however, if one shows up on our doorstep I'll be happy to welcome her.
ND fan: Is it tough to play so many early season games away from home ' I know it must be nice to go to places like Arizona and Florida in Februaury but is that tough on the team'
Karen Gallagher: Traveling in general is tough, but that's just part of the dynamics of being a Wisconsin softball program and a Big Ten softball program. You have to travel to warm climates and get in as many games in that you can and hopefully get some big games in under your belt like we did this year and get some national recognition going into conference play.
Osprey: Last weekend the weather conditions were predicted to be pretty bad on Saturday. Are you allowed to play a doubleheader on Friday if you know you probably won't get a game in on Saturday'
Karen Gallagher: It has never happened before. It would have to be discussed amongst the coaches. It can start earlier if we think we can beat the weather. However, depending on the travel schedule of the team coming in, it just hasn't happened before. It's just another issue that could be discussed at a Big Ten conference meeting.
ND fan: Early in the season, you beat No. 1 Arizona. How big was that win for the program'
Karen Gallagher: It's a huge victory. It sets the tone for the season and gives your players a lot of confidence. It's a game that you can fall back on to remind your athletes of the level of play they're capable of performing. It sends a message to teams across the country that Wisconsin's a team to be reckoned with. No matter who we're playing, we're going to go to battle with them.
drew: Who do you feel is the top team in the Big Ten'
Karen Gallagher: Right now, Ohio State. However, Michigan and Iowa have traditionally been the top programs in the Big Ten because of their World Series experience and winning ways.
Osprey: What kind of success have Big Ten teams had, historically, playing at the College World Series' Have there been many teams that have made it '
Karen Gallagher: The Big Ten has not been successful because success is based on winning a national championship. We have good representation there, but still have to get over the hump of competing with the Pac-10.
badgersoftie: do you find your warm weather recruits adjust well to madison (s cal or texas)
Karen Gallagher: I've heard no complaints.
badgersoftie: having started the softball program from scratch, were you able to advise the womens hockey staff when it started the first hockey program at wisc. are you pleased with where your program is now'
Karen Gallagher: Julie Sasner sought out my advice with certain aspects of building a program from scratch. We discussed what your priorities should be. In terms of laying down a foundation, I think the people that you involve in your program is your top priority. I'm very pleased at where the program is and where it's going and we'll continue to strive to do better every year.
badgersoftie: is there a maximum number of games a team can play ' it seems like ohio state has played tons more games than other teams in the big ten.
Karen Gallagher: We're allowed to play 56 dates and within those 56 dates you're allowed to play as many games within those boundries.
Chat Modertor: last question...
Chat Modertor: Steve from Madison asks, "How did your softball program benefit from the live game broadcast on WIBA last week' Do you think there might be more opportunities in the future for radio coverage'"
Karen Gallagher: It's a great opportunity whenever you can broadcast or televise a game to enhance your fan base or enlighten the community on the nature of our sport. Regarding future opportunities, I certainly hope so.
Karen Gallagher: Hope to see you all out at the ballpark in supporting the Badgers towards the Big Ten tournament and a NCAA tournament bid.
