North Carolina State University Athletics
Getting to Know: Junior Chelsea Tate
2/1/2013 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 1, 2013
RALEIGH, N.C. -- NC State's 2013 softball season begins next Friday at the Florida International Panther Invitational in Miami, with a new excitement as the fast-pitch program enters its 10th season, now under the guidance of first-year head coach Shawn Rychcik.
The squad returns three seniors - Caitlin Dent, Katie Mansilla and Bethaney Wells - as well as 2012 ACC Rookie of the Year Renada Davis, a shortstop who set a school record last season with a .362 batting average and a .450 on-base percentage.
On this year's roster of 14 players are five juniors: Scout Albertson, Kirsty Grant, Leah Jones, Hayley Stowe and Chelsea Tate.
Tate is a versatile player who made 32 starts last season, 14 at first base, 11 at catcher, four at third base, two in the outfield and one at shortstop. The Mission Viejo, Calif., native posted a .243 batting average in her 40 overall games.
A communication-public relations major with a minor in journalism, Tate hopes one day to work in public relations for a professional sports franchise.
Chelsea TateMission Viejo, Calif.
Mission Viejo High School
Utility player
Communication-public relations (major), journalism (minor)
PERSONAL
Favorite movie: “Stepbrothers”
Favorite song/band: Over the Rainbow by IZ
Favorite class/subject: PR Case Studies
Favorite flavor of ice cream: Mint Chocolate Chip
Your ideal fast food meal: Double-Double Animal from In-N-Out, with fries and pink lemonade and a chocolate shake for dessert.
What other languages do you speak: Spanish
Career ambition: Do public relations for a professional sports organization.
What specific things did you do between the end of fall practice and the start of the spring semester to improve your game? I did a lot of hot yoga.
What is your favorite training/practice activity? Hitting off of front toss on the field.
What is your least favorite training/practice activity? Hitting off of the machine.
When did you first start playing softball, and did you play other sports before it? At 4 years old.
All sports you played in high school: Volleyball and softball.
POP CULTURE
iphone or Droid? Samsung Galaxy SIII
Song/artist most played on your MP3 player: Red Hot Chili Peppers
The TV channel or show you most watch: “Workaholics” and “Modern Family”
ESPN/MTV/Food Network: ESPN
Something that you cannot live without: My phone
Besides NC State, what place do you like most in North Carolina: Wilmington
YOU & YOUR TEAMMATES
Best dancer on the team: Emily
Best dresser on the team: Caitlin
Best singer on the team: Leah
Most likely to play professionally: Hanna
FAMILY MATTERS
Siblings: 2 younger brothers, Connor and Chase
What/how many pets did you have growing up: A dog named Rocky
Favorite vacation location: Maui, Hawaii
What’s the thing you miss most about home: The beach
ALL SPORTS, ALL THE TIME
Sports idol as a child: Derek Jeter
Most famous athletes you have ever met: Jennie Finch and Mark Sanchez
Favorite teams: New York Yankees, Miami Dolphins and L.A. Clippers
Person in sports that you would most like to meet: Derek Jeter
Proudest moment from last season: Beating Georgia, which was ranked 5th in the nation at the time.
Most gratifying community service you have performed as a team/why: Serving food to the homeless at the Salvation Army because the people were very grateful for our help.
Routines or superstitions you or your teammates have? I have to recite a specific prayer before I play and I write the #10 somewhere on the field.
Something that not many people know about you: I love theatre and was in a musical.
