The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Osterman signs with the Rockford Thunder
12.21.2006 | Softball
ROCKFORD, Ill. -- Four-time All-American and three-time national player of year Cat Osterman has signed a deal to pitch for the Rockford Thunder of the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) League in 2007.
Osterman, 23, most recently went 6-0 for Team USA at the World Championships in Beijing helping them win the gold and the No. 1 seed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The 6-2 lefthander finished her eligibility at Texas in June of 2006, finishing her career with a record of 136-25. She was 38-4 during her senior season. In addition to her success in college, Osterman also won an Olympic Gold medal in 2004 with Team USA.
"The signing of Cat is extremely exciting for our organization as we continue to prepare for our first season in Rockford," said Moore. "Cat is easily one of the best, if not the best, pitchers in the world. Her ability as an athlete, coupled with the type of person she is, is only going to make Rockford and the whole NPF stronger.
"We think this signing will help make us the team to beat in 2007," stated Moore. "The battery of Cat and Mackenzie (Vandergeest) is going to be special to watch this season."
This past spring, Osterman won the Honda Award as National Softball Player of the Year for the second consecutive season and also repeated as a Top Five finalist for the Honda-Broderick Cup, awarded to the National Female Collegiate Athlete of the Year. She also earned the 2006 USA Softball Collegiate National Player of the Year honor for the third time, and is the only player to ever win that award more than once. In addition, she was selected Big 12 Conference Female Athlete of the Year for the third time in four years, becoming the only multi-year winner -- across all sports -- in Big 12 Athlete of the Year voting.
"I am very excited and very happy to be joining the Thunder," exclaimed Osterman. "The team that is being put together is a good one and I am looking forward to being a part of it.
"This is also special for me because I will be close to some of my family," said Osterman. "It's going to be nice to be able to see some of my family in the stands for our home games in Rockford."
Osterman was drafted No. 1 overall in last year's NPF Senior Draft by the Connecticut Brakettes, but chose not to sign with the expansion team, making her officially a free agent on September 30.
