The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Osterman to be inducted into CSC Academic All-America Hall of Fame
05.13.2025 | Softball
Cat Osterman is the first representative from The University of Texas to earn a place in College Sports Communicators’ Academic All-America Hall of Fame.
AUSTIN, Texas – Four-time All-American, three-time USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year and former Texas Longhorn Cat Osterman will be one of four former collegiate student-athletes to be inducted into the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-America Hall of Fame Class of 2025, the CSC announced Tuesday morning.
Osterman (Texas, Class of 2007) will be joined by Dr. Alarica (Huang) Lowe (MIT, Class of 2000), Jenepher Shillingford (Ursinus College, Class of 1954) and Jackie Stiles (Missouri State, Class of 2001) and represent the four-member class.
"The 2025 class represents the best of the best in collegiate athletics, said Jason Yaman, the CSC Execute Director. "These four women initially etched their names in record books before going on to have a similarly significant impact in their professions and local communities. We are thrilled to officially welcome them into the Academic All-America Hall of Fame in June as we celebrate them and their achievements."
During a decorated career on the Forty Acres, Osterman was a three-time USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year (2003, 2005 and 2006) and four-time National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-American. A two-time ESPY Award winner for Best Female College Athlete, the talented lefthander compiled an amazing career record of 136-25 with a 0.51 ERA and 2,265 strikeouts while helping the Longhorns to three Women's College World Series appearances in 2003, 2005 and 2006.
At the end of her storied collegiate career, Osterman was the NCAA career record holder for strikeouts-per-seven-innings (14.34), No. 2 all-time in career strikeouts (2,265) and No. 2 all-time in career shutouts (85). A three-time selection as Big 12 Conference Female Athlete of the Year (2003, 2005 and 2006), she still holds UT career records in victories (136), ERA (0.51), shutouts (85) and no-hitters (20).
Her No. 8 jersey was officially retired by Texas in 2022 as she became only the third Texas female student-athlete to have her jersey retired.
During a redshirt season of 2004, Osterman trained with the USA National Team as the only collegian and youngest member of the Olympic team that earned a gold medal in Athens. She went on to compete at two more Olympic Games for Team USA, helping the USA program to silver medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She highlighted an impressive comeback from retirement by earning a roster spot on the 2020 Olympic Team.
Also at the international stage, Osterman helped Team USA earn gold at the 2003 and 2007 Pan American Games and silver at the 2006 and 2010 World Championships. In her illustrious 20-year career with Team USA, Osterman held a 74-5 record with 0.44 ERA, striking out 1030 batters in just 519.0 innings of work.
Off the diamond, Osterman earned a bachelor's degree in psychology in 2007 and later earned a master's degree in educational and counseling psychology with a concentration in positive coaching from the University of Missouri (2015). She was selected to the CSC Academic All-America Team in 2003 and was a three-time member of the Academic All-Big 12 Conference Team.
Osterman was a recipient of the NCAA Today's Top VIII Award in 2006, an honor presented to the top eight senior student-athletes in the country. She also was recognized as the Honda Awards Softball Player of the Year (2005-2006). Osterman was also the first softball student-athlete to ever appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated. In June 2020, Osterman was selected through fan voting as one of ESPN's 11-member "Greatest All-Time Softball Team."
Osterman was the No. 1 pick in the 2006 Pro Fastpitch X-treme Draft and the No. 1 pick in the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) Draft. In her eight-year professional career, she led her team to four Cowles Cup championships and was a six-time All-NPF honoree. Her No. 8 jersey was retired by the USSSA Pride after she became the first pitcher in league history to reach 1,000 career strikeouts.
Following her playing career, Osterman spent time as an assistant coach on multiple softball staffs, overseeing the development of pitching prospects at DePaul, St. Edwards, and Texas State. Now, Osterman has prioritized promoting and growing the game of softball, working as a television analyst for ESPN's softball broadcasts and taking on the role of general manager for the Volts in the new Athletes Unlimited Softball League.
Among her community efforts, Osterman has served at RBI Austin since 2013. The non-profit organization provides year-round sports training, academic support, mentorship, and leadership development for middle and high school youth in the Austin, Texas area.
The four inductees will be honored during the All-Star Night of Honors presented by ESPN on Monday, June 9, 2025, held as part of the CSC Unite 25 Convention at the World Center Marriott in Orlando, Fla., Award-winning ESPN reporter and 2019 CSC Jake Wade Award winner Holly Rowe serves as emcee. It takes place with a 5 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. ET reception followed by the award ceremony.
Created in 1988, the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-America Hall of Fame recognizes former Academic All-Americans who received a college degree at least 10 years ago, have achieve lifetime success in their professional careers, and are committed to philanthropic causes. Honorees are chosen each year by a select committee of CSC members, leaders and past Academic All-America Hall of Fame inductees.
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