Fulton County Ohio Media

Last December, with two more seasons of softball still left in her in her already record-setting high school career, Lady Viking Macey Chamberlain made a verbal commitment to play softball for Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State.  On Wednesday afternoon, at Evergreen High School, a large crowd of family, friends, fellow students and coaches, past and present, gathered to witness Macey officially commit to continue her education and softball career by signing a National Letter of Intent with the Nittany Lions of the Big Ten.

“It’s an exciting day.  Not only for Macy but for the community.  You can tell by the turnout here the impact she has had on the community and the school,” said Evergreen softball coach Jim Zoltowski.  “What people don’t really see is the hard work that goes on behind the scenes and the hours she’s put into this, the grind of the process.  And she’s really coachable.” added Coach Zoltowski, referring to Macy’s dedication and commitment to reaching the level of playing at a DI university in a Power-Five conference.

In addition to her talent, Macy’s popularity stems from the professional way she plays the game and the manner in which she carries herself on and off the field, leading by example and always respecting the game and her opponents and giving time back to the Evergreen community whenever possible. In turn, her opponents, players and coaches alike, grant her the admiration and respect worthy of a consummate well-grounded ultra-competitive star athlete.

“To have the community come out like this to show support of Macy, it was really an opportunity for us to say thank you to everybody.  She’s felt that support over the years and we’ve really never had the opportunity to say thank you.  And that’s what tonight is for,” commented Macy’s father, Shane Chamberlain.  “Macy is a very humble and kind person and she doesn’t come off as any different than anybody else.  She’s an Evergreen student that happens to be a pretty decent softball player.”

The drive to the Penn State campus is five hours and ten minutes from Macy’s home, according to her father.  With all her years of playing with elite travel softball programs, the Chamberlain family has become road warriors.  “There was one time we took Macy to a softball practice; we drove five hours for the practice.  This is no different, just an extra ten minutes,” said Mr. Chamberlain.

Possessing the kind of talent Macy has will encourage a lot of offers from many colleges and universities, and she had a great many factors to contemplate before making her choice.  Purdue and Central Michigan were also in the top three of her considered destinations.  “I get this question all the time.  Why Penn State?” said Macy, beginning to explain her decision.  “Several things come to mind.  I think one of the biggest things is the coaching staff.  They didn’t just see me as an athlete.  They saw me more as a student-athlete.  I got to go my official visit in September and I got to meet the current players.  I think at that point I got to see the family atmosphere that they have at Penn State.  The last thing was the facilities are awesome.”

Before Macy packs up and heads east on I-80, the two-time NWOAL Player of the Year and First Team All-Ohio catcher, has some unfinished business to take care of while still an Evergreen Lady Viking.  “I really want to finish strong in class and on the softball field as well.  We have a lot of kids back and some talent coming in and we’re looking to have a good year.  I’m looking forward to it.”

The Evergreen softball season is currently scheduled to begin in early April of 2024.  Macy has literally re-written the hitting record book for the Lady Vikings Softball Program.  With every trip to the plate this year, she will have the potential to set new records and raise the bar for those who follow even higher.  If you have not yet seen this generational talent on the diamond, I encourage you to attend at least one of the 25+ games on the Viking schedule.  You truly do not want to miss this opportunity.

Photo: Macy Chamberlain signs her Penn State Softball NLI with her mother Keri, father Shane and brother Maddux.