Softball player earns academic accolades
Jacki Fletcher graduated in May with a 4.0 GPA while also having a successful career on the softball field. Photo: Steve Woltmann
UIC softball’s Jacki Fletcher capped off her career by earning a spot on the Capital One Academic All-America First Team, named by the College Sports Information Directors of America.
Fletcher is one of four infielders on the roster and was selected out of 93 Division I All-District finalists.
Fletcher’s accolade marks the 10th Academic All-America honor in UIC history, while her first team selection is just the third all-time, following Coryn Schmit (2013) and Cameron Astiazaran (2005).
“All of us at UIC are extremely proud of Jacki,” head softball coach Michelle Venturella said. “She has been a leader for us both on and off the field and it is exciting for her to earn this recognition. Jacki is one of the most giving people that I have coached when it comes to her time and doing whatever the team needs. She was able to balance the demands of being a Division I athlete and work tremendously hard to maintain a 4.0 GPA.”
The Lowell, Indiana, native was considered for Academic All-America status after being selected May 1 to the Captial One Academic All-District 5 First Team, an honor she earned for the second consecutive year. Fletcher upheld a perfect 4.0 GPA and graduated with a degree in kinesiology from the Honors College.
She was a three-time UIC Female Student-Athlete of the Year, a Horizon League Honor Roll and All-Academic team member, the February 2014 Scholar-Athlete of the Month and a NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete. She won the Department of Kinesiology Achievement Award and was a member of the Golden Key International Society.
On the field during her senior campaign, Fletcher was named to the All-Horizon League First Team and NFCA All-Great Lakes Region Second Team after having the best offensive season of her career. She consistently held one of the top three batting averages for UIC and concluded the season with a .362 average after going 50-for-138 at the plate with 28 RBI.
Fletcher hit above .400 through the Flames’ first 36 games and produced 14 multi-hit games, with at least one hit in 34 of 43 games played. She also tallied 12 extra-base hits with eight doubles, two triples and two home runs.
