Bird Bits with Andrea Coursey

NORMAL, Ill. – Bird Bits give Redbird Softball fans an opportunity to get an inside look at a handful of returners that will step back on the field in an Illinois State uniform in 2019.

The first installment of this five-week series takes a look inside the life of Andrea Coursey, who will be a sophomore during the 2018-19 school year. During her freshman season, Coursey appeared in 36 games, making 30 starts at third base. She finished second on the team in batting average (.269) with 21 hits, nine runs scored, six doubles and nine RBIs. Coursey's first career home run came against Valparaiso on May 5, when the Redbirds shutout the Crusaders, 4-0, at Marian Kneer Stadium.

Name: Andrea Coursey

Hometown: Urbana, Illinois

High School: St. Joseph-Ogden

Major: Marketing Analytics

Q&A:

Q1: Why did you decide to attend Illinois State?

A: I was a sophomore in high school and this was my first big offer and it had everything I wanted in a university – close to home, but not too far, not too big of a school, successful program, and many more. After talking with my family, the decision seemed like a no brainer. 

Q2: What has your time at ISU been like so far?

A: I have enjoyed my time at ISU so far for sure! My first year flew by so quickly and I can only imagine how fast the next three years will go. I have made many friends on the softball team, which was a huge reason why my first year was so great. 

Q3: What has been your favorite part about being a Redbird?

A: I like being a Redbird because the athletics department itself is not huge, which helps there be a larger sense of connectedness among the student-athletes. Everyone seems to pretty much know each other and that's awesome and super welcoming as a first-year student-athlete. 

Q4: Has anyone on the team, current or past Redbird, taken you under their wing since you've been here? If so, who, and how have they helped you?

A: Last year, Alex Caliva kind of took me under her wing throughout the season. She was always someone that I could talk to when I had questions regarding softball and she would always be there with an answer – whether it was the answer I wanted to hear or not.

Q5: What was your biggest adjustment when you got to ISU? How did you get through it?

A: The biggest adjustment for me was just getting into a routine. Balancing a very tough fall softball season and a heavier schedule was something I had never had to do prior to this year and it took some getting used to for sure. It was really nice to have 4 of my other classmates going through the exact same thing with me, and we all talked through everything together, which made it so much easier. 

Q6: Are there any classes you have taken so far that you really like?

A: I really ended up liking my Economics class this past spring semester. I didn't think I was going to like it, but as the class really got going, I got really into it!   

Q7: What made you choose your major and what is it?

A: My major is Marketing Analytics! I have known for a while now that I want to major in Marketing, but I didn't know what sequence I wanted to take until I got to ISU the first week. The "analytics" part stuck out to me and really interested me, as opposed to the communications or sales part. 

Q8: When you aren't practicing, going to class and studying, what do you like to do?

A: I like to watch Netflix and hangout with my family, my friends and my boyfriend.

Q9: Do you have a motto you live your life by? If so, what is it?

A: I personally do not really have one specific motto that I live by, but one that my dad has always said to me that has stuck with me is, "You make choices, and your choices make you."  

Fill in the Blank:

• I committed to ISU over other schools because: it was the perfect distance from home (1 hour), it is a great size university, and it felt like home 
• When I think of Redbird softball, I think of: laughing with my coaches and teammates, working hard in practice, and competing in a tough season
• My favorite part about being a Redbird student-athlete is: getting to be a part of a team and having people there for you all the time
• When I think of the Redbird softball fan base, I think of: a bunch of parents who are always there for their kids no matter what! And, of course, all of the other fans are awesome too
• When I committed to the ISU softball program, I felt: like I had a home and I was so excited for high school to finish so I could just get to college already
• I love softball because: it gives me the chance to compete every single day
• My favorite moment as a Redbird is: traveling to all of the awesome fields during our early-season tournaments
• My favorite stadium we played at in 2018 was: LSU's Tiger Park
• An area of my game I want to improve in is: just being an all-around better leader to encourage and push my teammates to be the best they can be

Bird Bits:

• Favorite athlete: Bryce Harper
• Favorite professional sports team: Chicago Cubs
• Favorite junk food: Ice cream
• Favorite concert you've been to: J. Cole
• Favorite TV show: Scandal
• My favorite place on campus: Fusion Brew
• The farthest place I have traveled from home: Arizona (for softball, of course!)
• If I could take a vacation anywhere in the world, I would travel to: Bora Bora
• Favorite book I have read: Anything Nicholas Sparks
• My nickname on the team is: AC

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