Little League legend Mo'ne Davis makes college choice - AOL
It feels like only yesterday Mo’ne Davis was the talk of the sports world after leading the Taney Dragons of South Philadelphia to the Little League World Series. Now she’s getting ready to go off to college.
According to The Philadelphia Tribune, the Little League legend revealed Tuesday that she will attend Hampton University next fall. And yes, sports will be a big part of her college experience. She will be a member of Hampton’s softball team.
A star was born
Davis first introduced herself to the sports world during the summer of 2014. The then 13-year-old pitcher was the driving force behind the Taney Dragons’ incredible run to the Little League World Series.
Every time Davis pitched, it became a must-see event. ESPN drew a single-game Little League World Series broadcast record of nearly five million viewers for Davis’ second televised start.
While Davis wasn’t the first girl to play at the Little League World Series, she became the first to ever pitch a shutout at the yearly showcase. Davis used her 70-mph fastball to strike out eight batters in a complete game 4-0 win over Tennessee. Davis’ team fell one win short of playing for the United States championship.
Davis’ success and impressive poise made her an immediate star. She made the cover of Sports Illustrated, got a book deal and made several award show appearances as a recipient and a presenter.
Though she’s willingly stepped out of the spotlight to focus on her education in the years since, Davis has remained active in sports. She is currently a three-sport star at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, where she plays soccer, basketball and softball. She’s also continued dominating as a pitcher at youth baseball events.
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Little League legend Mo'Ne Davis
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FILE - In this Aug. 15, 2014, file photo, Pennsylvania's Mo'ne Davis throws a pitch in the fifth inning against Tennessee during a baseball game in United States pool play at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa. Former Atlanta Braves slugger Hank Aaron met with the Little League sensation and her Anderson Monarchs teammates, a Philadelphia youth baseball club, on Tuesday, June 23, 2015, who got a tour of Turner Field. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
FILE - In this Aug. 15, 2014, file photo, Philadelphia's Mo'ne Davis delivers in the first inning against Nashville's Robert Hassell III during a baseball game in U.S. pool play at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa. Davis, who became an instant celebrity in August when she became the first girl to win a Little League World Series game, is The Associated Press 2014 Female Athlete of the Year. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
FILE - In this Aug. 15, 2014, file photo, Pennsylvania pitcher Mo'ne Davis, left, celebrates with teammate Jack Rice (2) after getting the final out of a 4-0 shutout against Tennessee during a baseball game in United States pool play at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa. Davis has been named The Associated Press 2014 Female Athlete of the Year. At just 13, she is the youngest winner ever. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
In this image released by Starpix, Little League Baseball pitcher Mo'ne Davis arrives at the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game on Friday, Feb. 13, 2015 in New York. (AP Photo/Starpix, Dave Allocca)
Mo'ne Davis, a Little League baseball pitcher, waves to the crowd as she is announced for the NBA All-Star celebrity basketball game Friday, Feb. 13, 2015, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Mo'ne Davis holds the AP Female Athlete of the Year Award after the NBA All-Star celebrity basketball game at Madison Square Garden Friday, Feb. 13, 2015, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Mo'ne Davis arrives at Nickelodeon's 28th annual Kids' Choice Awards at The Forum on Saturday, March 28, 2015, in Inglewood, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Mo'ne Davis, of the Anderson Monarchs, watches her teammates as they play against the Willie Mays RBI Birmingham team at Rickwood Field, Wednesday, June 24, 2015, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Little League Baseball pitcher Mo'ne Davis stands on the field during pre-game activities before a baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Minnesota Twins, Wednesday, July 1, 2015, in Cincinnati. Davis played in the 2014 Little League World Series and is the first girl to earn a win and to pitch a shutout in its history. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Mo'ne Davis of Philadelphia, and star of the 2014 Little League World Series, throws out the first pitch before a baseball game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Cleveland Indians in Pittsburgh Friday, July 3, 2015.(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Mo'ne Davis, American Little League Baseball, arrives at the ESPY Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Wednesday, July 15, 2015, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Paul A. Hebert/Invision/AP)
Little league player Mo’ne Davis accepts the award for best breakthrough athlete at the ESPY Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Wednesday, July 15, 2015, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Mo'ne Davis, left, and Russell Wilson speak at the 2015 Kids' Choice Sports Awards show at Pauley Pavilion on Thursday, July 16, 2015 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Paul A. Hebert/Invision/AP)
Mo'ne Davis attends HollyRod's 17th Annual DesignCare Gala held at The Lot Studios on Saturday, August 8, 2015, in West Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by John Salangsang/Invision/AP)
Derek Jeter, from right, accepts the legend award, with Jalen Jeter-Martin and Mo'ne Davis during the 2015 Kids' Choice Sports Awards show at Pauley Pavilion on Thursday, July 16, 2015 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Paul A. Hebert/Invision/AP)
Mo'ne Davis tosses a ball while she waits to appear with her 2014 Little League team before a baseball game between Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, and Webb City, Missouri in United States pool play at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa., Friday, Aug. 21, 2015. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 5 : Mo'Ne Davis pictured at The Allen Iverson Celebrity Basketball Game at Temple University's Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pa on August 5, 2016 photo credit Star Shooter/MediaPunch/IPX
FILE - In this Feb. 13, 2015, file photo, Kristen Ledlow, right, hugs Mo'ne Davis as they are announced before the NBA All-Star celebrity basketball game in New York. Ledlow said on social media Oct. 23, 2016, that she was robbed at gunpoint. Ledlow is the host of "NBA Inside Stuff" on NBA TV. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, PA - AUGUST 19: Odubel Herrera #37 of the Philadelphia Phillies talks with Mo'ne Davis during batting practice prior to the 2018 Little League Classic against the New York Mets at Historic Bowman Field on Sunday, August 19, 2018 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
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Tough college decision
The Philadelphia Tribune story says Davis was highly sought after as a softball prospect. She ultimately chose Hampton over Bethune-Cookman University, Southern University, Coppin State University, the University of Massachusetts and the University of Pennsylvania.
Education was the driving force behind the decision, according to her parents. Hampton’s communications department was the deciding factor.
It’s really great to see that as the spotlight has dimmed, Davis has been able to focus to keep life in perspective. That’s not always easy for athletes or actors who become famous early in life. But Davis is focused on what matters most, and will undoubtedly make an even bigger impact in the future as a result.
They lost to Loyola Chicago when no one was watching. They're inspired to see where it led.
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