Sakizzie Inducted Into UF Athletics Hall of Fame
Saturday, April 12, 2008 | Softball
Former Gator pitcher Chelsey Sakizzie was inducted into the UF Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday, April 12 at the Annual Hall of Fame Banquet. Sakizzie was a mainstay in the pitching circle for the Gators in the 1997 and 1998 seasons.
Sakizzie led the Gators from the circle in the first two seasons of the program, becoming the Gators first All-American and Southeastern Conference Player of the Year in 1998 as the Gators took the conference title. She finished her senior season with a 30-12 record and a 1.17 ERA as she led Florida to its first ever NCAA Tournament appearance. In 287.0 innings she struck out 270 batters while walking only 29.
As a junior in the team's inaugural season, Sakizzie earned All-SEC honors and led the Gators to the SEC Tournament Championship game. She finished the season with a 30-14 record and a 1.82 ERA. In 282.0 innings she struck out 267 batters, while walking only 37.
Sakizzie currently holds the career records for ERA, fewest walks per game and win percentage. She also held the career shut outs record until it was broken by Stacey Nelson recently. She also holds the single season record for fewest walks per game. Until last season she had held the top two spots on the single season top 10 lists for wins, starts and innings pitched. She holds SEC Tournament records for complete games (5), appearances (6) and victories (4) and ranks in the top 10 in the SEC record books for season victories, ERA, appearances, complete games, strikeouts and innings pitched and career victories, ERA, complete games, shutouts, saves, strikeouts and innings pitched.
Sakizzie is the first Gator softball player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Letterwinners or athletes who have brought recognition and prominence to the University and themselves by athletic accomplishments as an undergraduate can be inducted into the Hall of Fame as Gator Greats. Criteria considered are All-American, All-SEC and exceptional leadership as witnessed by teammates and/or coaches. A committee of F Club members selects members to the Hall of Fame. They are selected in three different categories; Gator Greats, Distinguished Letterwinners or Honorary Letterwinners. Gator Greats and Distinguished Letterwinners cannot be nominated until 10 years after completion of their eligibility.
