“I Wanted to Be More Than Just Another Good Player” – Valerie Cagle on Her Clemson Journey
Valerie Cagle’s Honest Journey
Valerie Cagle, the 2023 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, a dominant two-way player at the University of Clemson, and even more importantly an honest humble person, took time to chat with me yesterday morning.
In just 25 minutes of conversation, I saw exactly who Valerie Cagle is. She is truthful and down to earth, someone who never began her softball journey chasing the big bright spotlight. Yet, that spotlight found her.
Early Years in the Game
As many know from following her journey, Cagle started young in the game as most players do. Growing up with older siblings and coached by her dad, she picked up the sport naturally and most of all because it was fun. Fun is a word that often gets lost in the competitive world of sports, but it was a key part of her early years and something she has always carried with her.
Choosing Clemson
As Cagle became a teenager, her abilities started to rise to another level and she embraced that challenge. We all know the remarkable two-way player she became at Clemson, but her goals early on were never about chasing the Power Five spotlight.
“For me, the goal was never to play Power Five or go to one of the big schools. I wanted to find a place where I could both pitch and hit, and where I had the opportunity to start as a freshman. I also always said that I didn’t want to just be another good player in a good program. I wanted to make an impact in that program,” said Cagle.
She first committed to Delaware at the age of 14, before the September 1st junior year recruiting rule came into play. At that point it seemed settled, but a coaching change in May before her senior year of high school opened the door again. That is when Cagle reconnected with Coach Kyle Jamieson, who had already seen her talent back when he was at Furman. He knew exactly what she was capable of.
As they often say in Clemson, there is something in these hills.
“I went on campus and it just felt right. Just the vision they were building. So it was just something that I was excited to buy into and just have the opportunity to be a part of,” said Cagle.
At the time, the program was brand new and Valerie Cagle became one of its founding members. There was no stadium yet, only the vision of what Clemson Softball could become.
“We get there and there’s no stadium built. So you kind of have to be a little bit visionary of this is what we’re creating. I think we all had that common goal in mind of creating something for future years and future generations,” said Cagle.
Leaving a Legacy
That vision became a reality. Cagle, the 2023 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, finished her career in 2024 as part of a strong senior class that helped lay the foundation.
Her numbers tell the story. In the circle she recorded 86 wins with a career ERA of 1.72, striking out 819 in 756.1 innings across 153 appearances. At the plate she hit .379 with 66 home runs, 224 RBIs, and 180 runs scored on 288 hits.
Cagle reflected on what Clemson put into the program. Nothing has been half done or slow about the athletic program’s approach to Clemson softball.
“At Clemson, when they add a sport, they add it right. You are getting all the resources, you are getting everything… and then there is that recruiting piece. Our facility is top notch, one of the nicest in the country.”
That it is, Clemson University does a great job of going all in on the resources for student athletes. The facilities are definitely top notch across all sports. In today’s world of college sports, that is a major factor in where a player decides to spend the next few years of their lives.
Building the Next Phase of Her Career
Since Clemson, Cagle has stepped into the pro scene as well as coaching. She was recently named an assistant coach at Furman University, just right down the road from Clemson in Greenville, South Carolina. Cagle has seen time in the AUSL back in 2024, and also played in the Netherlands this year.
Cagle still loves and enjoys the game of softball, but as a person that describes herself as a Type-A perfectionist, she admits that being the two-way threat that she was put a heavy workload on her both physically and mentally.
“As much as it’s a team sport, when you are a pitcher and then you kind of have such a big role in the offensive lineup, it is hard to not think like, hey, I got to get it done here. And I’m very much a type A perfectionist… it definitely caused me to add a little bit more pressure, even than there already was,” said Cagle.
Cagle had already dealt with shoulder issues in college, and had surgery in the summer of 2022. The year before she had that amazing 2023 campaign. She still finished out her collegiate career strong as one of the leaders in that Clemson program. She put the team’s needs before her own and did what a great one would do.
Moving On From Pitching
So after that chapter wrapped up and the summer of 2024 in AU, Cagle made some changes. She no longer pitches. Valerie Cagle confirmed that hitting is all she will do from now on.
“Physically, mentally, it’s taxing. The workload, it’s just not something I enjoy anymore, and so I’m not gonna put the time in if I don’t wanna do it.”
Cagle said that she let AU know after last summer that hitting and playing the field is all she will do. She just needed to make that change for herself. Taking care of yourself is the most important thing.
“I really enjoyed my time in AU in 2024. After that season, physically and mentally, I needed to take pitching out of my game, and just focus on hitting and playing the field. As soon as the season ended, I let them know that.”
She went unselected in this year’s AU draft, but she is clear that she would return if the opportunity comes.
“I would 100% love to get back into AU. If given the chance, I’m definitely going to take it. What they’re building is really cool… but this year, it just didn’t work out, and that’s okay,” said Cagle.
Earlier this year, Cagle spent time in the Netherlands playing ball. Valerie got the chance to take a step back and really enjoy the game and life as it is intended to be.
“So for me, it was a nice experience just to get out of the States. A lot of times it’s super serious, in college can be a lot of pressure,” said Cagle. “Over there, it was way more relaxed. I really just got to play the game, just have fun playing the game, going out and competing with new people and learning new things about myself and about them.”
I’ve spoken with a few players who have competed overseas, and they always talk about how much they enjoyed the experience. The experience of something new often does us all some good, and for these players, it provided not only excitement but also a much-needed mental reset.
Florida Vibe and Furman Coaching Role
So now, back home and ready to knock the next chapters of her life out of the park. This fall she will compete with the Florida Vibe as they take on a few games. Ryan Moore has built a great environment and team down in Bradenton, Florida. Cagle will play alongside some Vibe alumni this fall, players such as AJ Andrews, Ashley Prange, and Katie Kistler.
Cagle mentioned that she had talked with them before she went to the Netherlands about playing this summer, but holding firm to her decision not to pitch, it just didn’t meet the team’s needs at the time. Now this fall, they need a first baseman and a great bat. In steps Valerie Cagle.
As mentioned at the beginning, Valerie is ready to begin her life of college coaching. Back in August, Furman Head Coach Mary Beth Dennison announced the hiring of Cagle.
Valerie is ready to take on the new role and learn all that comes with it. One of the most important things is her will and mission to bring positivity to the Paladins team. She wants them to have a great college experience and remember it for being a great time and not a negative one.
“I’ve always said that if I can do something to make 20 girls a year have a positive college experience, that’s worth it to me. I’m excited to learn from the staff here at Furman and hopefully help our players grow their game while enjoying their time in college,” said Cagle.
I believe it is especially important in today’s game for recent graduates to step into the coaching realm. If for no other reason, it allows them to connect with and relate to current players on a deeper level. Valerie Cagle, who just finished her collegiate career in 2024, knows firsthand what it is like to compete in this era. She can bring those fresh experiences directly to the team, and that can only help.
Closing Thoughts
I want to thank Valerie Cagle for taking the time to talk with me. Cagle is still young and has a lot left to give to the game of softball. I truly appreciate the honesty and insight she shared. Out of respect for her privacy I did not want to pry too much, but what she did offer spoke volumes about who she is both on and off the field.
Whether you are a star athlete in the eyes of many or someone living a quiet life in the eyes of a few, always take care of yourself. Physically, and most importantly, mentally.
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