Northwestern Softball welcomes three first-year student-athletes to the family this season, which starts February 10 in Tucson, Arizona. We are introducing you to each one this week, finishing today with catcher Eva Stees from Chicago, Illinois!
Eva Stees has been coming to Wildcats softball camps since she was 11-years-old. She has lived in the same house in Chicago her entire life, and when she signed her National Letter of Intent, she said Northwestern had always been her "dream school." She is a true Chicagoan on Chicago's Big Ten Team.
"I like the environment of Chicago, living close to the city," Stees says. "I never really even visited other schools like I did Northwestern."A big part of what brought Stees to Evanston's campus: The Twins, Kate and Caryl Drohan.
"I was drawn to the twin aspect," Stees says. "I have a bunch of twins in my life, and I like their coaching style a lot. Caryl is more of a jokester, and Kate is more out there doing what coaches do. Once practice starts, though, they are all business."
A byproduct of Stees' commitment to Northwestern came in the form of immediate superfandom for her dad, Andy. Suddenly, the Stees family had NU football season tickets. "I wouldn't be surprised if that expands to other sports soon," Stees said.
The @NUSBCats social media accounts have certainly enjoyed the added engagement.
Growing up, Stees played softball and competed in other sports like volleyball and track until deciding to focus on the diamond during her sophomore year of high school. One of two primary catchers on Northwestern's roster, Stees also has experience at third base and in the outfield.
"Catching is the most fun to me, because it requires you to be in control of every single play," Stees says. "Third base is the 'hot corner,' but you only get maybe half the balls you get as the catcher if you're lucky. I also like that pitcher/catcher relationship."Befitting the stereotypically strong mind of a catcher, Stees is curious and loves to learn. She has her sights set on a career in athletic training while also considering a minor in psychology.
"I'm interested in learning about the brain and how it works," she says. In addition, she enjoys learning about history and how we got to where we are, as well as getting her problem-solving fix with mystery novels.
Music is also in her blood. Her dad plays violin in a world music band, and she loves to sing. In addition to traveling to Chicago Public Schools competitions with Lane Tech High School's chorus (where her teachers were twins!), Stees took private voice lessons and used to do small performances with her voice coach.
Though she's been in Chicago her entire life, every year Stees and her family travels to Oregon to do a lot of hiking."To be honest, I just like going on adventures," Stees says. "Going out into nature. Doing something spontaneous."
Her decision to attend Northwestern was not spontaneous, but she is excited about the four-year adventure to come.
STEES FILE
HOMETOWN: Chicago, Ill.
FAMILY FACT: Parents went to the same high school, but didn't start dating until long after that
HOBBY: Music/Vocal performance
INTENDED MAJOR: Pre-med track and/or a minor in psychology
MOVIES: Real-life stories, like The Imitation Game
MUSIC: Alternative and indie rock.
QUOTABLE: "I like going on adventures. Doing something spontaneous."