USF’s softball team honors teammate with fundraiser
The hashtag #BucSTRONG started in honor of former USF softball player Alexis Buchman during her battle with brain cancer.
After losing her battle to cancer in February 2024, the hashtag evolved into a non-profit organization dedicated to cancer research and helping young female athletes in Tampa find success both on and off the field.
The USF Softball team is divided into six teams to see who can raise the most money for the organization, assisting in fundraising for the scholarship.
“The foundation is just amazing,” said teammate Jocelyn Wilkes. “Every year we do this mile for Moffit walk, so we all gather, we wear matching t-shirts in honor of her, and we just take a walk and enjoy a nice peaceful morning. It’s a great way to celebrate her and the foundation.”
BucSTRONG awards select female athletes in the Tampa Bay area with the BucSTRONG scholarship. The scholarship is given in amounts of $3,300, honoring both of Buchman’s softball numbers: 33 for USF and 00 for travel ball.
The money will be awarded to the foundation on November 14 during the annual 33-game, honoring her number.
“I think her and what’s she’s done and what her family has done for the USF softball community and even the Tampa Bay community has just given our university and our team a bigger reason to play for,” teammate Alexa Galligani said. “So I appreciate that we are doing all this for her and I’m really excited to put it all out in the field for her.”
Donations can be made to the BucStrong.org
CREDITS:
Producer: Madison Gotham
Anchor: Jada Knobloch
Floor Director: Noah Vinsky
Web Editor: Kieran Konopka
CG: Giohandri Robinson-Santiago
Tech Director: Seth O’Neil
Editor: Luana Martins
Social Media Reporter: Cameron Churilla
Camera: Emma Brockman
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Stephanie Anderson
Graduate Assistant: Grace Ficara