There’s nothing like a little friendly competition.
Now in its sixth season, the GW Summer Softball League provides GW faculty, staff and student employees a chance to get to know each other—and maybe earn some bragging rights on the field.
From early July to late August, employees from different offices, organizations and divisions from across the university team up to compete against other GW community members on Mount Vernon Campus’ varsity softball field. Teams include GW Facilities Services’ Risky Facilities, University Police Department’s Colonial Cops and GW Athletic Department’s Zero Athletic Ability, last season’s champions.
“The true genesis of the league was to bring together faculty and staff members to form relationships during friendly softball competition,” said Recreational Sports Director Aubre Jones, whose Office of Campus Recreation has run the league since 2006 with funding from Colonial Community.
Teams are divided into two divisions—the Siegel Division, named after Associate Vice President for Student and Academic Support Services Frederic Siegel, and Chernak Division, named after Senior Vice Provost and Senior Vice President for Student and Academic Support Services Robert Chernak— and compete over five weeks to make the August playoffs.
Mr. Jones, also a member on “Zero Athletic Ability,” said modified softball rules, such as allowing teams to pitch to themselves, permit for more action on the field, but he recommends each team have a pitcher “who can throw very hittable balls to their teammates.”
“Though the league is competitive — and every team strives to win — players in the league seem to have fun win or lose,” said Mr. Jones. “We have players in the league who have played varsity baseball or varsity softball in college. We also have players in the league who have never played softball in their life!”
Associate Dean of Students Danielle Lico has played in the league since its inception.
“It’s a wonderful way to build community with colleagues and to engage in a little fun competition,” she said. “Playing in the league is one of the things I look forward to after CI ends.”
Tim Miller, director of GW’s Student Activities Center and member of team MC Hammer, said the league has become one of his favorite summer traditions at GW.
“The GW Summer Softball League is a great opportunity to get exercise while enjoying friendly competition with colleagues across campus,” he said. “I am looking forward to this season on the field at Mount Vernon.”
Mr. Jones said the league fosters a special kind of community.
“Through playing in the Summer Softball League, I've gotten to know some of my colleagues much better on the softball diamond than I have in the office,” he said. “I believe that the league builds camaraderie and morale throughout each department that participates in the league.”
The season runs from July 6 to Aug. 23 and games are played between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. For more information or to register, visit
http://gwired.gwu.edu/gwellness/events/GWSummerSoftballLeague/