By: John Jay Sports Information
This week, johnjayathletics.com caught up with former softball student-athlete Mariela Echavarria ('06). Echavarria was a veteran of the softball program and graduated in 2006. She played infield and hit in the middle of the lineup for the Bloodhounds. While working for the NYPD, she returned to her alma mater and served as an assistant coach with the softball team in 2013, 2014, and 2016. She will be graduating with a Master's degree from John Jay in the fall.
1) Where has life taken you since you graduated from John Jay College of Criminal Justice?
After I graduated from John Jay College, I applied to become a police officer in the New York City Police Department. I am currently a lieutenant awaiting to be promoted to Captain. I have been working for the NYPD for 13 years.
2) What personal or professional accomplishment(s) are you most proud of since you graduated?
I am mostly proud of how I was able to achieve my goal in continuing my studies here at John Jay College. I will be graduating with my Master's degree in Criminal Justice next semester.
3) What are you most proud of from your time as a Bloodhound?
I loved my time being a Bloodhound and playing on the softball team. I met friends that are now family to me. I was given an opportunity to coach the softball team for three years and it was a great experience.
4) What advice would you give your college self/current Bloodhounds?
My advice is to always follow your dreams. Never quit, even as hard and impossible as it may seem, you can overcome it.
5) What did you learn in your time at John Jay that has stayed with you in your post-collegiate life?
In my time at John Jay, I learned how to manage my time and focus on what is important in life. Nothing comes easy and you have to work hard to achieve it.
6) Are you still involved with sports? If so, how?
I am currently still involved in sports. I play softball for three different leagues and I manage a team in an all-women's softball league. I am hoping one day I can go back to coaching for this institution.
2019 Softball Update: The softball team finished with their best season in 15 years with 14 victories. The team recorded seven wins in conference play, their best CUNYAC record since 2009. In an elimination game in the CUNYAC Postseason Tournament, the #4 Bloodhounds topped #3 Lehman Lightning, 3-2, to advance to the second day of the championship. Having not defeated the College of Staten Island in the regular season since 2009, John Jay finally took down the Dolphins, 4-3, thanks to timely hitting, great defense, and a pitching masterpiece.
Jessica Barbaria,
Julianne Graepel, and
AnneMarie Rivera were named CUNYAC All-Stars.
To view all of the previous Alumni Spotlights, please visit www.johnjayathletics.com/alumnispotlight.
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