From Blackie to the Bayou State.
Pitcher and infielder Tessa Groeneveld earned a full-ride scholarship to Louisiana’s Bossier Parish Community College Cavaliers softball squad after impressing at a Las Vegas showcase event earlier this season.
“I’ve played softball for 12 years, but never got serious about it until my Grade 10 year,” said Groeneveld, a National Sport Academy student. “My one coach saw a lot of potential in me and that made me think I really do have a thing for ball and that’s something I really want to pursue playing for a lot more than just my high school years and club years.
“Once I started getting interest from coaches that motivated me to want to do more.”
Groeneveld’s full-ride scholarship will cover everything for her two years at the community college before she has the opportunity to transfer after that timeframe for an additional two seasons.
“It’s a big relief and it shows that all my dedication has gone somewhere,” said Groeneveld, who plans to study business. “And that it’s noticed so it really does mean a lot to me and I’m really grateful to have such a good offer.”
Groeneveld said she was scouted at the tournament during one of her outings on the mound, noting the scout told her they were there to watch someone else before her pitching presence caught the eye.
“The tournament was designed for showcasing us to colleges,” Groeneveld said. “I was playing in a game and they were talking to my coaches and after just came up and talked to me.
“I also knew someone (Dawgs Academy alumnus Jose Nunez) prior to going down and they told me about the school, so I decided to go for the visit and when I was there, I really liked the school, the coaches and decided to sign there.”
The team atmosphere and connectivity are what stuck out to the Groeneveld on her visit to northwest Louisiana.
“They do everything together and I really like that, especially coming from Canada and being so far, I’m going to need a home away from home,” she said. “It’s really nice that they do that.”
Bossier Parish’s baseball team has seen a series of Dawgs alumni join their ranks in recent years, a group that includes Okotokian Connor Crowson along with electric outfielder Alejandro Cazorla.
Groeneveld is blazing a trail on the softball side of the equation and is the first player from NSA’s program, now in its second year, to earn a full-ride scholarship.
During her time at the Calgary-based school, she’s been to tournaments in Vegas, California and Texas.
“It’s still very new, but it has been very good (at NSA),” she said. “The classes we’ve been doing have been good and they’re really key about making sure you balance school and practices.
“That’s also been super helpful as going to the next level it’s something you’re going to have to do and learn how to do. It’s good to get that head-start.”
She said having a recruiting account on the Field Level platform allowed scouts to see a highlight reel of her skills.
For those looking to follow in her footsteps and pursue high-level softball, Groeneveld stressed the importance of putting yourself out there.
“It’s really hard being from Canada to get recruited,” she said. “You really have to put yourself out there, annoy the heck out of coaches to get them to notice you.”
