Softball's Chelsea Skrepenak Sworn in to the U.S. Army Before Sunday's Series Finale

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Bronx, N.Y. – Fordham softball's Chelsea Skrepenak has enjoyed a terrific junior campaign for the Rams but on Sunday before the team's series finale against Massachusetts, the Dallas, Pa. native was celebrated for her hard work off the field with the Fordham University ROTC as she was sworn in to the United States Army.
 
Cadet Skrepenak has served with the Fordham ROTC for the past two seasons and on Sunday took the ceremonial oath of office of the U.S. Army under Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Linn. She originally joined as a freshman after seeing cadets training on her walks to 6 a.m. lift sessions. When Skrepenak graduates next year, she will do so as 2nd Lieutenant. She one day hopes to become a JAG officer but considers her true goal simply to "continue to grow each and every day".
 
"Sunday was obviously a step towards my future career and it also helped me realize how many lives I've affected," Skrepenak said, "Watching my teammates get emotional after I took my oath really opened my eyes about how much they care about me and how I am doing something bigger than myself. If anything, it helped solidify the decision I have made, knowing that I have such a solid support system behind me. We have each other's backs on the field but they are my sisters for life. Bridget has allowed me to participate in ROTC by missing practice and other things for training. It feels really good to know that she is not only concerned with my performance on the field but also my career."
 
"We are so proud of Chelsea and what she has done for our softball program on and off the field," Head coach Bridget Orchard said on Sunday, "Her commitment and sacrifice have been amazing. She is able to juggle practice, strength and conditioning, workouts, travel, games, and all of her academic commitments on top of her ROTC duties. She has a full plate and is absolutely thriving in every aspect of her life. It takes a special person to take on that much and be so successful. I am proud to be a small part of what she is doing and I am grateful for her leadership with our program."
 
On the field, Skrepenak leads the team with a .336 batting average, is third with a .395 on-base percentage, and fourth with a .542 slugging percentage. She has already tallied career-highs across the board with 44 hits, 34 runs, six home runs, 29 RBIs, and eight stolen bases, while providing stellar defense in center field. A three-year starter, Skrepenak has appeared in 157 of a possible 170 contests and has started in 142 of them.
 
"The most moving part of it all was seeing my dad cry for the first time," Skrepenak added, "He was one of the last people I hugged when I was finished and to be able to finally feel like I truly made him proud is unexplainable."
 
Video of the ceremony can be found at the link above. All photos in the gallery are courtesy of Tom Wasiczko.
 
Fordham is back in action on Wednesday at St. John's with a 2 p.m. start time.