When Boise State’s club softball team arrived in Columbus, Georgia last spring for the National Club Softball Association (NCSA) World Series, it wasn’t just a milestone — it was a statement.
Without university funding or athletic scholarships, the players spent three hectic weeks raising nearly $10,000 to get there, juggling part-time jobs, class schedules and late-night practices to make it happen.
“It changed everything,” said Victoria Rudd, club president. “We used to think Nationals was something out of reach, but now we know it’s possible. Every conference game feels like it means more.”
Wearing the Bronco logo means more than just playing the game. It means long nights planning fundraisers, early morning drives to practice, and waking up the next day ready to do it all again. Every bit of effort reminded the athletes they didn’t need scholarships or school funding to reach Nationals.
Boise State competes in the NCSA, where teams are fully student-run and self-funded. Rudd and her leadership team, Vice President Camryn Davidson, Treasurer Sarah Freeman and Secretary Annette Fernandez, do more than just play softball. They manage travel plans, book hotels, schedule umpires, complete financial reports and lead fundraising campaigns.
Player dues run about $300 per semester to cover hotels and game expenses. The rest of their money is raised through partnerships with local restaurants, volunteering at football and basketball games and donation drives that spread through family and alumni networks.
“It’s not easy,” Freeman said. “We spend around $10,000 to $12,000 each year, mostly covered by dues and whatever we can raise. Nationals last year cost us nearly $10,000 alone, but we made it happen. Fundraising is what keeps us going.”
It’s made clear by Rudd and Davidson that no one just joins the team expecting a free ride — they’ll have to work for it.
Now that same work ethic is showing up on the field. After last year’s Nationals appearance, the Broncos entered 2025 with new energy and the largest roster in program history. Rudd said the team’s chemistry is at an all-time high, with returning veterans guiding a large freshman class eager to prove themselves.
“You can feel the difference this year,” Rudd said. “There’s no tension, no drama. Everyone’s here for each other. It’s really special.”
The results back it up. Boise State recently dominated Eastern Washington, winning three straight contests by a combined score of 48-4. On Oct. 19, they won two of three against Washington State.
Davidson contributes by managing travel logistics. She explains winning on the road carries meaning beyond the box score. “It’s not just about softball anymore,” she said. “We’re showing what student-run sports can look like when people care.”
More growth is possible as future fundraising efforts expand the program’s resources. They are hoping to get some more organizational assistance in regard to conditioning and potentially pay for batting cages weekly. Although they have had the opportunity to hire a coach, a major step in the program to increase their chances of returning to Nationals.
Freeman said that being able to hire a coach has already elevated their game but they’re also happy for the privilege to play and how far the program has come. “We’ve seen major improvement,” she said. “It’s made us more competitive, and the players are more confident knowing there’s someone helping us develop.”
Whether they return to Georgia this spring or not, the Broncos have already proven what matters most. Budgets or titles don’t define their success, but rather the work they put in together as a team.
“It’s a lot of work,” Rudd said. “But when you love the sport and the people around you, it never feels like a sacrifice. It just feels right.”
