General | 10/18/2024 10:01:14 AM
Tori LoPresto is set to begin her fourth season as a member of the St. John Fisher University softball team in 2024-25. She serves as Co-Chair of St. John Fisher University's Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) and enters the upcoming season having appeared in 68 career contests, primarily as an infielder. She hit a career-best .314 in 2024.
A native of Pawcatuck, CT, LoPresto, in addition to being SAAC Co-Chair at St. John Fisher, is also an Empire 8 SAAC representative and Teddi Dance For Love Captain on campus.
Tori LoPresto - Empire 8 Emerging Leader
Institution: St. John Fisher University
Sport: Softball
SAAC Role: Co-Chair/Empire 8 Representative
Major: Dual Major in Adolescent Education and Chemistry
GPA: 3.7
Community Service Projects:
I am the Events and Collaboration captain for Teddi Dance For Love. My role is to create all sorts of fun events such as Teddi Trot (a 5K fun run), Kick or Treat (Halloween kickball tournament) and more! Teddi Dance For Love is a partnership with Camp Good Days and Special Times, where we aim to bring better days to many children and families of those who have been affected by cancer. Every year we host a 24-hour dance marathon to raise money for camper to have an opportunity to visit Florida for a week where they spend time at Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and other fun places.
Who is a Leader Who Has Made an Impact on You and Why?
My parents and my high school basketball coach, Paulla Solar! My parents have always pushed me to be the best player, student, and person I can be. They knew the talent I held, even if I didn't believe in myself at times, and were always there to push me beyond my limits. Without my dad putting in hours at the field or my mom sending me all sorts of positive visualization work/videos, I wouldn't be where I am today without them.
Coach Solar taught me the mental aspect of the game. She would always preach being "mentally tough" and I cannot thank her enough for preparing me for not only college softball, but life in general with this very lesson.
What Type of Leader Are You?
My primary focus as a leader is to be as vocal as possible, whether it be on the field or in the dugout. If any one of my teammates have a great at bat or an awesome play, I make sure to let them know to instill even more confidence in them. Confidence is key in this game of failure we play. Making sure everyone is always up, even if that means picking them up when they are downm is crucial in my eyes. So I try to make sure I am saying little things here and there every pitch of every at bat or every play.
What Makes a Great Leader?
A great leader is someone who will hold others accountable and push them for the sake of the team. This goes hand-in-hand with leading by example. A leader has to work every minute of every day in order to get the most out of their teammates, leave a positive impact and set the standards. This comes with communication, hustling on and off the field, and simply just doing the little things such as picking up the equipment or putting in that extra time after practice. It all starts from the top and trickles down. A team's energy thirves off of the leaders.
What Is a Leader's Best Asset?
A leader's best asset is to listen. By truly understanding the goals, needs and concerns of the team, a leader can base their actions and decisions that benefit everyone, and foster a sense of trust. With this, vision is also a crucial asset. A leader must have the ability to set a clear and inspiring direction for the team in order to motivate others to align their efforts with common goals.
What Makes Leadership Difficult?
Being transparent, as a leader, you want to make sure everything goes accoring to plan for the team to succeed. But, at times, things may not go your way. Being transparent with your teammates and coaches shows them that it is alright to learn from your mistakes and learn from what did not go as well as you had hoped. Everything happens for a reason and there is no reason to "fake it 'till you make it." Life throws some curveballs at you; you just have to learn how to adjust.
What Does Leadership Look Like in a Team Setting?
The most important part is being inclusive to all. It can be very difficult to control this with such a large team at times, but making sure nobody is left out is key. This can be as simple as sending out a text to go to the dining hall after practice or showing up all together for another sporting event. Keeping everyone involved with each other can create an even stronger bond, which will help even more when it is time to play together as one.
Interesting or Exciting Internships You Have Done or Are Currently Working On:
I am currently student teaching in Palmyra in a 10th grade chemistry classroom and have loved every minute! I am also an assistant basketball coach back at home in Connecticut for a high school girls' team, so I have been working this summer on all sorts of workouts/practice plans getting ready for the season! Go Falcons!
What Do You Aspire to See Yourself Doing in 10-15 Years?
Hopefully teaching in a high school chemistry classroom and getting my master's degree to eventually become an athletic director!
What Are You Most Looking Forward To This Season, Both Athletically and in SAAC?
Softball wise, I am extremely excited to see what this team can do. The 11 of us seniors are practically sisters after four years together and have passed that on to the underclassmen as well. We are such a close and talented group, so I am very excited to surpass our goals and make even more memories this season. We want to go out with a bang!
As for SAAC, I am excited to get rolling with some new events we have been planning over the past year to get even more teams involved with each other. I am also excited to collaborate with many other athletes in general to make everyone's experiences as Fisher student-athletes amazing.
Favorite Athletic Memory from Your Time at St. John Fisher:
I have two memories that stand out. Going 9-1 on our spring trip to Arizona last season. It was a great confidence boost for us and made us realize what we could really do, setting us up for a very successful season. We made the most hilarious memories together which brought us even closer an made us even better. Winning back-to-back Empire 8 tournaments is right up there with it. This past spring was absolutely insane, considering we went into multiple seven-plus inning games to win. It was awesome. Nothing can beat that.
Favorite thing about the Empire 8:
The connections made with players on other teams. Although the rivalries are strong, the relationships are even stronger. There is a lot of respect and support between teams, which maks the competition more meaningful.
How Has Playing in the Empire 8 Prepared You for Life After College?
It has shown me what hard work and determination is for. Working for something you are passionate about and never giving up is what I believe to be important, which I have learned about even more through the Empire 8.
Advice to Incoming Student-Athletes or Younger Teammates?
Time flies! It might not seem like it when you first come in, but it really does fly! Take it all in when you can, because the moment it is over, you are going to want to go back. Put in that extra work, spend time with your teammates, connect with other teams. Believe me, it is all worth it in the end.
E8 Dozen
1. Favorite Professional Athlete: Nika Muhl (Seattle Storm, WNBA)
2. Favorite Professional Team: UConn Women's Basketball (Not professional, but I watch them religiously during the season)
3. Favorite Movie: Chitty Bang Bang
4. Last TV Show You Binge Watched: Boy Meets World
5. Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Butter Pecan
6. Last Vacation You Went On: Walt Disney World/Universal Studios
7. Dream Vacation Spot: Italy
8. Favorite Singer/Artist: Lainey Wilson
9. If You Could Have Any Super Power, What Would It Be?: Invisibility
10. Fun-Fact About You: I cannot swim
11. Favorite Animal: Warthog
12. Dream Job: Athletic Director/Coach
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit www.empire8.com.
EMPIRE 8 SOCIAL MEDIA
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