Olympic Women's Softball Team Gold Medal Winners 2004
2008 Team - Gold Medal Hopeful
University of Arizona:
Women's Softball Team Pitcher
NCAA record for 60 consecutive wins
2001 College World Series champions
GUEST INTERVIEW
Jennie Finch: The Face of Women's Softball
By Sean Brown and Jonathan Cyprowski
The 700 Club
CBN.com
– Olympic softball player Jennie Finch is without a doubt, the face of women’s softball. She is one of the most prolific NCAA softball players of all time, an Olympic gold medalist and has been rated the most beautiful woman in sports numerous times.
At the University of Arizona, Jennie reeled off an NCAA record 60 consecutive wins on her way to winning the 2001 College World Series. Shortly thereafter, she accepted an invitation to play on the 2004 Olympic team. The unhittable pitcher and her team won the gold in Athens. But she says the gold medal should have gone to her family.
“God, from day one, has kept me rooted with my family,” Jennie said. “They’re my foundation, they’re my backbone. I feel extremely blessed to be able to grow up with parents who love the Lord and two older brothers who set an amazing example for me as far as living for God each and every day.”
The family influence in her life has taught her what living life is really about.
“Just being around the professional athlete’s life,” Jennie said. “It’s like everybody’s searching for that one thing, you know, trying to find it; whether it be alcohol or relationships or so many other things. There’s no greater feeling than just putting your life before Him and saying God, I’ve tried other things and it does not even compare.”
Jennie’s success has given her opportunities to compare worldly things with the relationship she started with the Lord when she was just eight-years-old.
When several lucrative offers came in to appear in magazines like “FHM”, “Maxim” and “Playboy” the decision was an easy one.
“What if a young girl walks into the supermarket and sees you on the cover and says, daddy I want that magazine,” Jennie said. “And the dad has to say, no, that’s not appropriate for you, even though the article about me would be appropriate. I believe that our bodies are the temple of God and I just wouldn’t put myself in that situation.”
Many professional athletes have rejected the idea of being a role model. But Jennie has a different point of view.
“I think for me being a role model is one of the greatest gifts that God has given me and allowed me to do. I take that role very seriously,” Jennie said. “And you know, it’s a crazy world out there and if I can be a light in any way to the young women of this world, then I am going to do that and I am going to take it very seriously.”
“It’s so incredible that I can just by a few words lift them up,” Jennie said. “And just see that there’s a different way of living, and you know you don’t really find it on television. You don’t find it in magazines. And if I can somehow lead them to God through my heart and through the way I carry myself, then it’s incredible.”
Jennie has been busy since the 2004 games. Her reputation for outstanding play on the field and high moral standards has led to numerous endorsement contracts that have far outweighed other offers.
In October of 2004 she married Minnesota Twins pitcher, Casey Daigle and then in 2006 they had their first child, Ace. They both know that as athletes they are under scrutiny every day, and aspire to be role models not just in their sport, but in their marriage as well.
“God has been our foundation and He’s enabled us to continue our relationship and our trust in Him, and our belief in Him and one another,” Jennie said. “I think He keeps us together. It’s not easy him being a professional athlete and myself on the road and we see each other about 3 days a month. So it’s definitely hard at times. We’re not going to lie. It’s not easy.”
“We pray constantly together and individually and we put our needs out there and we let each other know our hearts,” Jennie said. “And I think that’s what allowed us to maintain our relationship.”
Jennie and the US Softball team will look to capture another gold in this summer’s Olympic games. They have rarely been beaten in international competition. And they show no signs of slowing down heading in to the Beijing games. Whether she is facing rival Japan or just winning in the game of life you can be sure Jennie Finch knows exactly where her strength comes from.
“God made me and I’m a servant of the Lord whether it be on the softball field or as a mom, or on television,” Jennie said. “Every time we hear the national anthem, that’s my kind of quiet time with Him and praying the whole time; and at the end it’s always like may I give each and every bit of glory to You and may You see all the glory that You bring.”
“God is the answer and there’s no other answer but God,” Jennie said. “You know, just having Him in your heart and living a life for Him, that’s it. That’s where it’s at.”
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