Celene Funke Named To 2020 Academic All-America Softball First Team -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

FUNKE EARNS THIRD STRAIGHT CoSIDA AWARD

Another triple for Louisville Softball student-athlete Celene Funke.

This one doesn't come from her powerful bat in the cozy confines of Ulmer Stadium, though. She's been named to the 2020 Academic All-America Softball Team selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America. Celene becomes the program's first three-time Academic All-American selection. 

The honor requires a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.30 (on a scale of 4.0) and have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing at his/her current school. 

Funke, a graduate student working on her MBA in finance, earned her bachelor's degree in finance in May 2019 with a cumulative 4.0 G.P.A . It's the third CoSIDA All-America Award for the Cardinal center-fielder....2018 and 2019 the previous years of recognition. Being the program's first three-time Academic All-America selection, Funke takes on an additional challenge this year -- having been selected to be President of the Student Athlete Advisory Council. 

We suggest they cue up "Hail To The Chief" on the Ulmer Stadium sound-system for her walk-up music when Cardinal Softball goes back to games in February of 2021. 

Hailing from Carmel, IN, Funke has been a three-year starter for the Cards. She was a Senior CLASS Award candidate in 2020. She was leading the Cards in stolen bases in the 2020 season (11 for 13 ) when her senior season came to a halt after 23 games, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Funke led the nation in triples in 2019 with 13. That number is a school record and she stands third on the Louisville career list for triples with 18. She's also third on the all-time stolen base list with 62. 

The 2020-21 Student Athlete Advisory Council President will return to the field for UofL for another season, electing to use a fifth year of eligibility granted by the NCAA because of the pandemic. 

It's hard to imagine center field at Ulmer without the presence of "33" prowling the premises. She's been a constant delight and joy to interview as a Cardinal student-athlete and a guiding force on Holly Aprile's squad.  

We here at Cardinal Couple give her a "triple" hats-off in congratulations and admiration for the academic and athletic achievements she's earned at Louisville. In previous chats with her, we've learned she's quite interested in being an entrepreneur in the business world once her time at Louisville is completed. 

Being a promoter in the entertainment or business world should be another base-circling, stellar progression for the affable, energetic and engaging Funke. We can't wait for her final season of achievements and her endeavors after her career at Louisville. We're confident "it'll be a hit" for "Funk" and she'll "triple" any enterprises success and profits. 


paulie
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