PURCHASE, N.Y. – Junior Nicole Bifulco (Howard Beach, N.Y.) of the Manhattanville softball team recently had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel across the world and represent the United States at the Australian Friendship Series, spending two weeks “Down Under” and helping the US squad to a first-place finish.
Bifulco teamed up with other select top-level collegiate softball players from teams all over the United States – including nine Division I student-athletes – to wear the red, white and blue for the two-week tour.
The team is sponsored by USA Athletes International, a non-profit organization that gives amateur athletes the opportunity to participate in Olympic-style sporting events at the international level all over the world, while also creating an athletic experience that balances competition with the broadening of educational and cultural knowledge of the world. Selection for the team is based on recommendations from college coaches, athletes and athletics professionals.
“My favorite part of the trip was getting the chance to play where Team USA, the most elite softball players in the world, won the gold medal in the Sydney Olympics [in 2000] and hitting a triple over the left fielder’s head in a crucial spot,” Bifulco said. “It was really exciting to wear the USA jersey and to have the younger softball players look up to us.”
The players and coaches arrived in Sydney in early July and got some time to practice and gel as a team. Besides practicing and playing in the actual tournament, the representatives also had time to tour the country, learn to surf, visit the local wildlife and sample the Australian culture.
For Bifulco, in addition to the incredible chance to experience Australia, the tour also served to help her improve her game heading into her senior season.
“I have worked all my life with my dad and my grandpa to improve my game, but the talent level there was amazing and I really enjoyed playing with the other girls, each of whom is extremely talented,” Bifulco said. “Even though I have been playing this sport for almost 18 years, I have learned more about the game of softball and how to improve my individual game from this trip. The coaches were extremely talented and they really helped to make the trip enjoyable.”
After finishing pool play with a perfect 5-0 record, the USA squad won by an 11-4 score in the semifinals before taking a 7-6 win in the championship game to earn the title. But for the Valiant shortstop, the excellent results played a secondary role to the experience itself.
“In softball, there aren't many possibilities to play competitively after college, so it was really special to represent my country on a different continent and to wear a USA jersey,” Bifulco said. “It was one of the most special times of my softball career and something I will never forget. I am extremely fortunate to have had an opportunity to play for a US national team!”
For more information on USA Athletes International, visit their website at www.usaai.org.