On Saturday, Oct. 2, the Slippery Rock softball team held its annual alumni game, bringing together current players and older generations to face off on the field.
The game brings spectators and fundraising awareness to the team, who is currently looking to raise a large sum of money. Over the years many coaches have dedicated their time to the program, but Coach Jan Kasnevich was one who stood out to her players.
In honor of her and the dedication she has for SRU softball, the players would like to raise enough funds to rename the field after her. Players from her era shared stories and talked about how playing for Kasnevich was one of the best experiences of their softball careers.
Kasnevich was a coach for 33 years, and she was arguably the best softball program statistics have ever been. There was a conversation pre-game with lots of laughs and joy reminiscing on memories over the decades between players and coaches. A Slippery Rock alumna herself, Kasnevich played, taught and coached multiple sports at The Rock over the course of her career.
However, that wasn’t the only moment that had emotions running high on Saturday. 2018 alumna Emily Nagle was prepared to take her lead off at bat when coach Stacey Rice said they needed a new softball. Out from the dugout came Adam Urbania, Slippery Rock All-American baseball alumus and Nagle’s boyfriend.
With flowers in one hand and a softball ring holder in the other, Adam got down on one knee and asked Emily to marry him. Family, friends and teammates all cheered with excitement as Emily said “yes.”
Adam even arranged to have her best friend there to see it all unfold front row. “She’s been over the moon excited,” Urbania said. He added how she keeps saying it was the best day of her life.
The two met at The Rock through mutual friend Allie Fischer, also a member of the softball team. Urbania was a senior and Nagle a freshman, but the two connected and instantly sparked a connection. After graduation the couple did long distance with schooling before moving in together.
Both Nagle and Urbania had decorated careers at Slippery Rock, from Athlete of the Week to breaking records in school history. Slippery Rock held so much meaning to them both, which is why Adam knew it was where he wanted to propose. “We were always playing right across the road from one another, it was so special,” Urbania said. He added that Emily was very good at softball and he loved hearing about how she did in games.
Rice played a large part in the execution of the proposal. She coached Nagle all four years and was overwhelmed with happiness for the newly-engaged couple. Sports and softball specifically create an atmosphere much more complex than just a ball and bat. It is a family that last longer than the four years here.
Urbania and Nagle’s story is a testament to the fact that Slippery Rock is more than just a university in the middle of nowhere. It is a home that holds some of the best and brightest memories for all who pass through here, and if you’re fortunate enough, it’s a place where you could even meet your soulmate.
