CONWAY, Ark. — When Natalie Shock got to Farris Field Tuesday night, she went through the same pregame routine as always.
“I’m in charge of game management, so I’m running around doing all sorts of things,” Shock said. “I’m just sitting waiting for the game to start, and they come and get me saying “Coach P needs you, Coach P needs you.”
Shock had no idea what the University of Central Arkansas had planned for her. A graduate of UCA in 1995, Shock helped find the softball program. Since then, she's held several positions and most recently served as the associate athletics director.
Shock is retiring this year.
“I see the group come in from right field," Shock said. "I see my mom and think, 'OK, they’re doing some type of retirement something.'"
However, once the group gathered around the circle, the big reveal happened—UCA was naming its softball stadium after its original coach.
Natalie Shock Stadium appeared on the video board.
“I had no clue," Shock said. "For Dr. Teague and the Board of Trustees to do that, it’s amazing.”
When Shock helped start UCA softball, it was the only program in the state, so it’s only fitting that she be honored on a night that for so long seemed like a dream: UCA hosting the Razorbacks for a softball game.
“I never thought I’d see that we’d play Arkansas in my lifetime," Shock said. "I wish Kevin [Shock’s late husband, who helped start the softball team with her] were here to see that because he would have really enjoyed that.”
Of course, retirement won’t keep Shock away.
“There’s no way I can stay away from this place," Shock said. "It’s too much in my blood. I bleed purple.”
And when she returns to the stadium, it will have her name.
“To have that done, to know that hopefully, I’ve made an impact on a lot of people, I don’t know how to describe it," Shock said. "It’s amazing.”