UIC grad returns to softball team as coaching assistant
“I’m really looking forward to being able to give back to a school that provided me with so much and to experience the game from the other side,” says former Flame Teresa Aguilar, who joins the softball team as volunteer coaching assistant. Photo: Steve Woltmann
Recent UIC grad and former Flame Teresa Aguilar will share her knowledge with softball players this year as the team’s volunteer coaching assistant.
Aguilar was a four-year letter-winner for the Flames from 2010-13, competing in the catcher and shortstop positions.
“I am extremely grateful to be given this opportunity,” Aguilar said. “I’m really looking forward to being able to give back to a school that provided me with so much and to experience the game from the other side.”
Aguilar played 167 games during her career with the Flames as a primary starter. She played shortstop as a freshman before making the transition to catcher, where she started 106 games in her final three seasons.
“We are so excited to have Teresa join our staff as our volunteer coach,” head coach Michelle Venturella said. “To have an alum come back and be a part of the program is always special. She was a tremendous player for us and has always loved the game. She will be able to work in all areas of the game with her background as a catcher, infielder and hitter, which will help out tremendously.”
Behind the plate, Aguilar assisted with 51 wins for the Flames and played a key role as UIC won the Horizon League Championship and advanced to the NCAA Regionals. She threw out a total of 34 base runners and had 11 pickoffs, contributing to 604 putouts. She committed just 11 errors at the position and held a perfect fielding percentage during her senior season.
After her career at UIC, Aguilar coached alongside fellow alum Devin Miller as an assistant for the Lane Tech High School varsity softball team, which won the 2014 city championship. Aguilar was also coach for the 16u Mizuno Hawks travel softball team.
A native of Chicago, Aguilar graduated with a degree in psychology and criminology, law and justice in 2013.
