08-19-2003, 08:52 AM
<a href='http://olemisssports.ocsn.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/050103aab.html' target='_blank'>Price posts a perfect 4.0 GPA in Pharmacy, is one of Rebels' top pitchers </a>
In gymnastics, the measurement of perfection is 10.0. In figure skating, the standard is 6.0. For Rebel softball senior Lindsay Price, perfection is 4.0, and that doesn't refer to the right-hander's ERA. Instead, the 4.0 is her GPA, and she's putting up those numbers in one of the most challenging majors at The University of Mississippi - Pharmacy.
However, don't get the idea that Price is all brains and only a seldom-used reserve on the Ole Miss softball squad. Rebel head coach Candi Letts will quickly change that perception.
"With Lindsay, you never worry about the energy she gives in the classroom taking away from that on the field," said Letts. "She gives a lot of energy to both. Many straight-A students have their heads in the books, but Lindsay's not like that. She has a great and unique personality, and Lindsay is able to balance both academics and softball without being obsessed by either. She balances them so well."
On the diamond, Price has had an outstanding senior campaign, which will come to a close this weekend against Tennessee. The Terry, Miss., native has posted team season bests with 10 wins and 143 strikeouts (compared to just 34 walks). The 143 Ks for the season and the 343 strikeouts for her career both are second on the charts in the Ole Miss record book. Her 23 career victories - the last a 2-1 over No. 18 South Carolina Apr. 27 - are third on the Rebel all-time chart. For Price, it's going to be a little hard to believe her days of playing competitive softball is nearing an end.
"There will be amazing emotions before that final home game," said Price of the Rebels' season finale against Tennessee Sunday at 1 p.m. "I anticipate it being a sad moment. But, I'm happy that I got the opportunity to come here and play and meet some great people.
"It's going to be hard to let go because playing softball is something I have done since I was little. I started playing tee-ball when I was five, began playing softball when I was seven, and started pitching when I was eight. So, you're looking at more of my life that I have played ball than when I haven't. I really am not going to know what to do."
Don't be fooled. Price has a plan for life after her collegiate playing days are over. And, it was the sport of softball that put her plans in motion of coming to Ole Miss and choosing her major and eventual career path.
"It started with softball," Price said. "I was excited about the possibility of playing softball in college. Jamie Cummings, a good friend of mine in high school, was already playing softball at Ole Miss. When I came up here, I loved it and who wouldn't. Ole Miss is the most beautiful school, and the pride in athletics here is amazing."
When Price arrived in Oxford in the fall of 1999, she had some thoughts about pursuing a degree in Pharmacy. That's when Price's plan took a minor detour, but not for long.
"I thought about majoring in Pharmacy my freshman year, but when I talked to some people, they were telling me that pursuing that major would be a big challenge - as all medical majors are - along with playing softball," Price said. "I remained undecided on my major my freshman year, but that following summer, my aunt who had been diagnosed with MS (muscular sclerosis) was getting even sicker. I saw how involved the pharmacist was with my aunt, and I decided that Pharmacy was going to be my major. When I returned to school my sophomore year, I got started."
Although she got a late start in the major, Price has dug in and faced the challenge head-on - like so many times on the diamond - and the evidence of her tenacity in the classroom is seen in her perfect 4.0 GPA. In addition to making the Chancellor's Honor Roll (3.75-4.00 GPA) every semester at Ole Miss, she has earned Southeastern Academic Honor Roll distinction the last three years, including 2003. Price was also named to the Verizon District 6 All-Academic Team the past two years, and there's a good chance Academic All-America honors will come in May. In addition to her academic and athletic pursuits, Price has been active in the University and Oxford communities. She is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), and has visited local elementary schools and senior citizen centers through the Ole Miss CHAMPS Life Skills program.
Following an internship this summer, Price will complete her studies in Oxford in May 2004, and then will return to Jackson, Miss., to finish her Pharmacy degree by 2006. After that, Price's plan will continue to unfold, but the example she set at Ole Miss will linger for future student-athletes to follow.
"Lindsay is a great role model for all kids, and especially those in the state of Mississippi," Letts said. "She came from the Jackson area and had a lot of success playing high school and summer softball. Then, Lindsay comes here, and sets a standard for other young athletes in the state and shows them what it means to be at Ole Miss with its pride and tradition. She is a great example of that."
In gymnastics, the measurement of perfection is 10.0. In figure skating, the standard is 6.0. For Rebel softball senior Lindsay Price, perfection is 4.0, and that doesn't refer to the right-hander's ERA. Instead, the 4.0 is her GPA, and she's putting up those numbers in one of the most challenging majors at The University of Mississippi - Pharmacy.
However, don't get the idea that Price is all brains and only a seldom-used reserve on the Ole Miss softball squad. Rebel head coach Candi Letts will quickly change that perception.
"With Lindsay, you never worry about the energy she gives in the classroom taking away from that on the field," said Letts. "She gives a lot of energy to both. Many straight-A students have their heads in the books, but Lindsay's not like that. She has a great and unique personality, and Lindsay is able to balance both academics and softball without being obsessed by either. She balances them so well."
On the diamond, Price has had an outstanding senior campaign, which will come to a close this weekend against Tennessee. The Terry, Miss., native has posted team season bests with 10 wins and 143 strikeouts (compared to just 34 walks). The 143 Ks for the season and the 343 strikeouts for her career both are second on the charts in the Ole Miss record book. Her 23 career victories - the last a 2-1 over No. 18 South Carolina Apr. 27 - are third on the Rebel all-time chart. For Price, it's going to be a little hard to believe her days of playing competitive softball is nearing an end.
"There will be amazing emotions before that final home game," said Price of the Rebels' season finale against Tennessee Sunday at 1 p.m. "I anticipate it being a sad moment. But, I'm happy that I got the opportunity to come here and play and meet some great people.
"It's going to be hard to let go because playing softball is something I have done since I was little. I started playing tee-ball when I was five, began playing softball when I was seven, and started pitching when I was eight. So, you're looking at more of my life that I have played ball than when I haven't. I really am not going to know what to do."
Don't be fooled. Price has a plan for life after her collegiate playing days are over. And, it was the sport of softball that put her plans in motion of coming to Ole Miss and choosing her major and eventual career path.
"It started with softball," Price said. "I was excited about the possibility of playing softball in college. Jamie Cummings, a good friend of mine in high school, was already playing softball at Ole Miss. When I came up here, I loved it and who wouldn't. Ole Miss is the most beautiful school, and the pride in athletics here is amazing."
When Price arrived in Oxford in the fall of 1999, she had some thoughts about pursuing a degree in Pharmacy. That's when Price's plan took a minor detour, but not for long.
"I thought about majoring in Pharmacy my freshman year, but when I talked to some people, they were telling me that pursuing that major would be a big challenge - as all medical majors are - along with playing softball," Price said. "I remained undecided on my major my freshman year, but that following summer, my aunt who had been diagnosed with MS (muscular sclerosis) was getting even sicker. I saw how involved the pharmacist was with my aunt, and I decided that Pharmacy was going to be my major. When I returned to school my sophomore year, I got started."
Although she got a late start in the major, Price has dug in and faced the challenge head-on - like so many times on the diamond - and the evidence of her tenacity in the classroom is seen in her perfect 4.0 GPA. In addition to making the Chancellor's Honor Roll (3.75-4.00 GPA) every semester at Ole Miss, she has earned Southeastern Academic Honor Roll distinction the last three years, including 2003. Price was also named to the Verizon District 6 All-Academic Team the past two years, and there's a good chance Academic All-America honors will come in May. In addition to her academic and athletic pursuits, Price has been active in the University and Oxford communities. She is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), and has visited local elementary schools and senior citizen centers through the Ole Miss CHAMPS Life Skills program.
Following an internship this summer, Price will complete her studies in Oxford in May 2004, and then will return to Jackson, Miss., to finish her Pharmacy degree by 2006. After that, Price's plan will continue to unfold, but the example she set at Ole Miss will linger for future student-athletes to follow.
"Lindsay is a great role model for all kids, and especially those in the state of Mississippi," Letts said. "She came from the Jackson area and had a lot of success playing high school and summer softball. Then, Lindsay comes here, and sets a standard for other young athletes in the state and shows them what it means to be at Ole Miss with its pride and tradition. She is a great example of that."
