Untold Athletes: Julia Loffredo – Softball

Julia Loffredo is a junior from Skillman, N.J. and is majoring in integrated marketing communications. Loffredo is a utility player for the softball program and also serves as the engagement and promotions chair for Ithaca’s SAAC.

Softball became a passion of mine when I started playing on my first travel team at 10 years old. I played travel ball from when I was 10 until I was 18 and I wouldn't trade those summers for anything. Throughout the years, I have been a part of multiple travel programs due to not enough players or just to be a part of higher-level programs. Through all the ups and downs, my mom has always been there for me. She has been my number one fan throughout my whole softball career, spending hours at the field every weekend, traveling across the country for a tournament, and the long rides to practice. I would not be playing in college without my mom’s love and support and cannot thank her enough for it.

I’ve been an athlete my whole life. I never had an offseason. In high school, I was a three-sport athlete and played on a travel softball team. I ran on having a busy schedule and always having something to do. Coming to college, I still had a busy schedule and it helped me stay on top with my studies. Having a busy schedule for the last six years of my life and have that be taken away by Covid-19 was a huge shock to me. I was lost. I did not play a lot during my freshman year, but I knew I had something to prove in my sophomore season. I worked so hard all fall ball and spring training to earn that starting spot. 

I am a utility player, so I was ready to play wherever my coach needed me. I pushed myself to learn different positions and always be able to keep my mental game on point since my role changed almost every game. Putting in all that work, the dedication to the game and have that stripped away from you, is a feeling indescribable. I really struggled mentally not being able to play the sport I love and work towards achieving my goals. Being away from my teammates and coaches was really difficult since they are my family. Covid-19 has made me realize how I am not even close to saying goodbye to this sport. My goal will forever be winning the World Series until I hang up my cleats. I do not know my plans for the future; whether I would use my red shirt or not, but I know I will never take a game, a practice, or a lift for granted again. I will give 110% physically and mentally to the game every day.

To fill the loss of the season, I was able to coach for my hometown softball organization this past summer. Coaching my girls gave me a new purpose to the game and could not thank you enough to my old high school coach Jessica Parker for giving me this opportunity. To be the head coach of the 14u team of the Mavericks program was such a blessing in my life in such a dark time in the world. Jess inspires me to work hard every day. She works full time, is a private trainer for all positions, and runs/coaches a whole softball program. She has so much passion for this sport and it inspires me every day. One day I hope I can even be half as good of a coach/person as she is.

Ithaca College Softball is such a unique program to be a part of and I am so thankful each day to be part of something special. Anytime we’re together we share so many laughs, hugs, and unconditional love. No matter what I know my team has my back on and off the field. Another thing about this program that makes it so unique is our connection with our alums. We have events with our alums from classes of ’95 to our latest graduates. Even with the difference in ages, we all have one thing in common and that’s the love for the game. I cannot get enough of this team and cannot wait to compete with team 53.