HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHT
Keeping Her Eye on the Ball
F or outfielder Nadia Witt, softball is more than just a game. Originally from Oregon, she recalls spending much of her early childhood in the field, watching her parents Kevin and Martha play slow-pitch softball. She began playing softball herself when she joined Little League at 9 years old and credits the sport with making her the person she is today. Witt joined the UCR softball team as a freshman and now serves as team captain while navigating her first year as a graduate student. The second in her family to earn a bachelor’s degree, Witt graduated from UCR in 2022 as an ethnic studies major and is working toward a master’s in business administration. As a Black woman in a predominately white sport, she hopes to be an example for other students. She aims to pursue a career in athletics as a sports agent, using her knowledge and skills to provide more opportunities for athletes and making sports a more inclusive and welcoming space, especially for other women of color.
NADIA WITT
YEAR
GRADUATE, FIRST YEAR
MAJOR
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
POSITION
OUTFIELD
HIGHLIGHTS
- Softball team captain
- All-Big West Honorable Mention
- 14 of 15 on stolen bases
- Slashed .330/.388/.425
- 5 for 9, 4 R, 2 2B, RBI in Cal Poly series (3/26-27)
- 9 for 19, 3 R, 2B, 10 RBIs in final six games of the season
My mother is by far my biggest inspiration. She’s always been my number one fan, supporting me in whatever I do and pushing me to do more. She’s everything I aspire to be in a woman, mother, and friend.”
HELP HIGHLANDER STUDENT-ATHLETES TODAY
Make a gift to the UC Riverside Athletics Association to assist UCR student-athletes with academic support, strength and conditioning, sports medicine, health, wellness, and nutrition.
Give online at donate.ucr.edu/Spring2023.
Return to UCR Magazine: Spring 2023