Michigan State University Athletics
Senior Spotlight: Ellie Stoffer
4/3/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
by Nick Barnowski, MSU Athletics Communications
Michigan State softball head coach Jacquie Joseph doesn't need to look far to find an ideal Spartan.
Every coach seeks players who speak their language, and for Joseph, senior catcher Ellie Stoffer is that player.
"She has as much pride in being a Spartan as anybody I've ever had," Joseph said. "She's always been a leader and she's just really everything you could ask for in a player."
As softball season finally made its way to Secchia Stadium last week, the Chelsea, Mich., native said that more than anything, she has learned the value of hard work and dedication in her four years as a Spartan.
"When you give everything your all, good things happen," she said. "Hard work is one of Jacquie's biggest points of emphasis, and she demonstrates that to us every day."
Through two weeks of Big Ten play and 27 pre-conference games this season, Stoffer, a projected outfield starter who has filled in admirably behind the plate for most of the season, said she's yet to see her team play their best softball. The Spartans stand with a record one game under .500 and she believes their versatility and willingness to each play a different role can only help the team moving forward.
"We're really competing hard and we're still trying to figure out everyone's roles," she said. "I definitely think we've made new strides this year with some different philosophies and styles. I think that's made a big difference."
Individually, the 5-foot-8 catcher said a spike in confidence has made a difference when up to bat and when behind the plate. Stoffer has played in 153 games at MSU, the third most of any player on her team. She's hit four home runs to go along with 35 RBI.
Her softball career started at the age of 9 when she joined a travel team, but she was playing t-ball at a much younger age.
"It was great being around friends at the beginning," she said. "I like how it's an individual sport - when you go up to bat, you're the only one up there - but it's a team sport too, where you can rely on your teammates to pick you up when you fall."
She grew up a Michigan State fan, as her dad, Ron, attended the school. MSU was always her school of choice, so when she got the chance to play softball in East Lansing, "it was an easy decision."
In her time at Michigan State, Stoffer has become an example for what it means to be a student-athlete.
"Ellie is like, genius status," Joseph says with a smile. "She's just one of those kids that has done everything right in her four years here."
The Chelsea High School graduate is an Academic All-Big Ten selection and Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, in addition to being a Big Ten Sportsmanship Award winner. She will be honored at the Student-Athlete Support Services (SASS) Academic Gala on April 13, and earlier this semester, she spoke at a luncheon hosted by MSU Athletic Director Mark Hollis and was accepted to chiropractic school.
"(The awards) mean a lot to me because I've always been a really hard worker in the classroom and it's good to be recognized for that every once in a while," she said. "I like to think I'm a good example and role model for my teammates and younger players too."
After graduation, Stoffer wants to stay in athletics. She is majoring in kinesiology, which she decided on because it combines medicine and sports.
"I've loved it," she said. "I've loved everything I've learned through the major. I've been able to apply it to softball and life in general with health and fitness."
For now, Stoffer, who always puts the team first, said she's going to fill whatever role necessary, and is looking forward to enjoying her final moments in the Green and White.
"This has been an opportunity I'm so thankful for and something I'll never forget or take for granted," she said. "I can't wait to see what the rest of the season holds. There are no limits to what we can do."
