Kelsey Bruder is the only player in program history to win the NCAA Top VIII Award, which is now the NCAA Top 10 Award.
Bruder Announced as Member of 2023 UF Athletic Hall of Fame Class
Wednesday, March 29, 2023 | Softball
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Florida F Club and Gator Boosters announced Wednesday morning that former Florida softball standout Kelsey Bruder will be inducted into the UF Athletic Hall of Fame as a member of the 2023 class.
Bruder is the fifth softball player to be inducted into the UF Athletic Hall of Fame as she joins Chelsey Sakizzie (2008), Jenny Gladding (2014), Stacey Nelson (2019) and Michelle Moultrie (2022) among the Gator Greats to come through the program.
"Kelsey Bruder was one of the hardest workers, toughest competitors and the true definition of what an All-American softball player played like." Florida Head Coach Tim Walton said. "Kelsey rose to the challenge and got better and better every year. Very rarely does a coach get an opportunity to coach a one percenter, but Kelsey was that on the field and in the classroom. I am very thankful for the opportunity to have Kelsey impact our program the way she did and I couldn't be prouder of her induction into the UF Athletics Hall of Fame."
The Corona, Calif. native was a member of the Gators squad that reached the Women's College World series for the first time in program history and helped the program back to Oklahoma City three more times before she finished her stellar career ranked amongst the best in Gators' history in batting average (.357 – 2nd), slugging percentage (.700 – 2nd), on base percentage (.457 – 2nd), runs scored (185 – 3rd), doubles (50 – 2nd), home runs (52 – 3rd), hits (221 – 8th), walks (103 – 9th), hit-by-pitches (20 – 5th) and SAC flied (11 – 2nd).
During her senior season in 2011, she became the program's first and only NCAA Top VIII Award winner, which was bestowed to eight student-athletes across all NCAA sports for their success on the field, in the classroom and in the community. In addition, Bruder also became the first Collegiate Women Sports Award (CWSA) Honda Award recipient in program history and was third ever Southeastern Conference Player of the Year recipient.
She also garnered a spot on the 2011 Women's College World Series All-Tournament Team along with being named a two-time National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-American in 2009 and 2011, a two-time All-SEC First Team selection in 2009 and 2011, and was a 2009 SEC All-Tournament Team member and 2009 SEC All-Defensive Team selection.
Academically, Bruder was a two-time Academic All-American in 2009 & 2011 and a three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll member.
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Bruder is the fifth softball player to be inducted into the UF Athletic Hall of Fame as she joins Chelsey Sakizzie (2008), Jenny Gladding (2014), Stacey Nelson (2019) and Michelle Moultrie (2022) among the Gator Greats to come through the program.
"Kelsey Bruder was one of the hardest workers, toughest competitors and the true definition of what an All-American softball player played like." Florida Head Coach Tim Walton said. "Kelsey rose to the challenge and got better and better every year. Very rarely does a coach get an opportunity to coach a one percenter, but Kelsey was that on the field and in the classroom. I am very thankful for the opportunity to have Kelsey impact our program the way she did and I couldn't be prouder of her induction into the UF Athletics Hall of Fame."
The Corona, Calif. native was a member of the Gators squad that reached the Women's College World series for the first time in program history and helped the program back to Oklahoma City three more times before she finished her stellar career ranked amongst the best in Gators' history in batting average (.357 – 2nd), slugging percentage (.700 – 2nd), on base percentage (.457 – 2nd), runs scored (185 – 3rd), doubles (50 – 2nd), home runs (52 – 3rd), hits (221 – 8th), walks (103 – 9th), hit-by-pitches (20 – 5th) and SAC flied (11 – 2nd).
During her senior season in 2011, she became the program's first and only NCAA Top VIII Award winner, which was bestowed to eight student-athletes across all NCAA sports for their success on the field, in the classroom and in the community. In addition, Bruder also became the first Collegiate Women Sports Award (CWSA) Honda Award recipient in program history and was third ever Southeastern Conference Player of the Year recipient.
She also garnered a spot on the 2011 Women's College World Series All-Tournament Team along with being named a two-time National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-American in 2009 and 2011, a two-time All-SEC First Team selection in 2009 and 2011, and was a 2009 SEC All-Tournament Team member and 2009 SEC All-Defensive Team selection.
Academically, Bruder was a two-time Academic All-American in 2009 & 2011 and a three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll member.
FOLLOW THE GATORS
FloridaGators.com
Florida Softball on Twitter
Head Coach Tim Walton on Twitter
Florida Softball on Facebook
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