Mary Hackbarth is a current Diamond Devil Booster and long time Sun Devil Athletics supporter. We asked Mary a few questions about her involvement with Sun Devil Softball and what it means to her to support Sun Devil Athletics.
In what ways are you connected to ASU? I guess I would have to say that I am connected to ASU because I am the very proud momma to the Wunder Twins.
What does it mean to you to be a Sun Devil and be a part of the Sun Devil Family? It means a lot to me to be a part of a program/family which supports the student’s success with such passion and relentless grit. A family who helps these student-athletes achieve their goals and reach their dreams. It’s a privilege not everyone will experience.
Why do you think it is important to support student-athletes and Sun Devil Athletics? I feel it’s vital to all student-athletes to continue to be "Support Staff” not only financially, but emotionally as well. The financial need is far greater than what a sport can receive solely from the university. Student-athletes lead a very busy life; workouts, practices, coursework and homework, grocery shopping, laundry, house/apartment cleaning, etc. I know most only do this when mom comes to town (lol), but the reality is, sometimes they are so busy with life and their job as a student-athlete, they cannot stop and run to get food. A little help from donations can put some nutrition in the team refrigerator for them to get through the day. That’s just one small, but important factor with each sport trying to manage a budget. Think about all of the little things that come up daily for just everyone in your household, and then multiply that times the number of student-athletes there are at ASU and WOW that will be a huge number. So if everyone would take their lunch to work just one day a week or give up the Starbucks just one day a week and then donate that savings on a monthly basis to their favorite Sun Devil program, oh what a wonderful world it would be.
Why do you support Sun Devil Softball? What motivates you to support Sun Devil Softball? I support Sun Devil Softball because I believe in Coach Ford and her staff and I want to help. They wear so many hats for these young ladies. Many fans may think they are just a coach on the field, but little do they know, Coach Ford fills the mom role on a daily basis even if it’s just reminding them when things don’t go their way with two words…..“that’s life” and we make the best of it. She makes them tough so they can graduate and be able to handle the ups and downs that life gives us. The same goes for Coach Harger who fills the dad role, not a day has gone by (pre-covid) where he hasn’t spent all of the extra time he has with the players helping them battle through a slump in the hitting cage, or going back over their at bats from a recent game. Recently, Coach Jimmy invited players that could not go home for Thanksgiving over for dinner that day. What motivates me? They motivate me… This amazing Sun Devil Softball Family along with the fun loving fans.
Describe the most exciting game you have attended: The most exciting game for me personally would have to be in 2019 at home, the last game of the series on Sunday against Utah. We were behind to start the game and in the second inning those twins each homered to score Devils to take the lead. Selfishly as their mom what a thrill to get to watch both of my daughters hit homeruns in the same inning. Our lead did not last long, still behind through the next four innings, but then came their last at bats in the bottom of the 7th inning. Selfishly speaking again, two more homeruns from my twins and many other hits, singles and doubles. Around the bases those little Devils ran, and then a final game winning triple from Miss Ally Cat to win the game 18-17 for the sweep. That’s selfishly speaking though.
If you could have dinner with any Sun Devil student-athlete/coach/staff member from the past or present, who would it be and why? I could not just pick one, I have too many choices. There is never a dull moment at a Sun Devil dinner table.
The Sun Devil Club would like to thank Mary for her continued support of Sun Devil Athletics. For more information on ways to get involved with the Sun Devil Club, please contact us.