Softball demands a great deal of mental toughness; players must concentrate and react to a play in a matter of seconds. Olivia Weiss, a third year in the Interaction Design program and co-captain of the women's softball team, is one player who knows the importance of mental toughness all too well. As both a pitcher and a utility player, Weiss can play several positions and must remain sharp wherever she is needed on the field. In tough situations, Weiss focuses on her love for the game to stay motivated.
"Resilience, teamwork, mental toughness, and adaptability are all important qualities for a softball player," she says. "This sport is a game and is meant to be fun. It helps... put things into perspective, especially when there is pressure or challenges... [and] helps me to stay positive and resilient... knowing that every game, even the tough moments, is part of the experience."
Growing up in Plattsville a small town in Oxford, Ontario-Weiss began her softball career at age seven, playing for the town's house league. Six years later, she was asked to play for a rep team, and eventually found herself playing for the Mississauga Tigers. She has been playing for the Tigers for the last four years and earned the Top Batter Award after the team's bronze medal finish at the 2023 Provincial Championships.
In Double-Blue, Weiss just finished her third season with the Bruins and was the first player to be recruited for the women's softball team since the program last ran in the 1900s. And for the first time in Bruins softball history, the team made it to playoffs in the 2024-25 season, a magnificent feat that was only accomplished through hard work and camaraderie.
"It is about recognizing that everyone brings various strengths and skills to the table and that these efforts combine to achieve something greater than an individual could alone," Weiss says. "As a whole team work is built on trust and respect. Each team member relies on the other to do their part, and... the team can function to its highest potential."
During the 2024-25 regular season, Weiss scored 18 RBIs, 6 stolen bases, and an outstanding 297 batting average. "In specific to a pitcher," she says, recording 13 appearances and 26 strikeouts, "I think the most important quality would be mental toughness and leadership."
A true leader, indeed, Weiss volunteered for the Mississauga Special Olympics softball team over the 2024 summer season, and the team she helped coach attended the Bruins vs. Lambton Lions home game on September 15, 2024, which doubled as a fundraising event in support of the Mississauga Special Olympics. But Weiss' incredible efforts go beyond the field.
For both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, Weiss was awarded the OCAA All-Academic Award, a certificate that is presented to student-athletes who achieve honours status at their respective institutions. Originally in the University of Toronto and Sheridan joint program for art and art history, Weiss realized her love for design from the classes she took at Sheridan and enrolled in the Interaction Design program.
"I really like how my program combines both creativity and problem-solving," she says. "T really enjoy how the program offers a balance of hands-on projects, design theory, and practical skills, which allow me to turn concepts into real-world solutions."
As Weiss looks toward the future, she aims to pursue a career as a designer for a sports company such as Sportsnet or the MLB. She also hopes to one day coach a team of her own after graduation and continue her volunteer work with the Special Olympics.
"Many aspects of a student-athlete can be transferred into my career," Weiss says of the various qualities she credits as being important for a softball player. "The skills learned can help me to build a foundation of strong work ethics, collaboration, and problem-solving."