CLAIM TO FAME: Knowing boys received most of the instruction and seeing the number of talented girls in the south Brooksville area, Oliver started Kennedy Park Little League's girls softball program in 1978. She has remained with the league in a coaching or administrative role, including president, for most of the past 25 years. When a lack of community support forced the league to shut down in 1998, Oliver, with help from Dan Oliver (no relation), Pamela Thomas and Belinda Drake, spearheaded the effort to revive it. Largely through her persistence, the league overcame community resistance and funding concerns to resume play in 2000. During the past four seasons, Kennedy Park Little League has grown from 150-175 to nearly 200 players. Though it lacks the expensive bats and nylon jerseys of some leagues, it continues to live up to its motto of "Providing Opportunity."
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: "It was something that was in her heart, and she was the one who was persistent in the community, so I couldn't see anybody else being the president. The reason I came back and worked so hard for the league was because of the flame I saw burning in her heart for the need of us having the league." - Dan Oliver, former Kennedy Park Little League vice president for business management.
DID YOU KNOW? Students at Brooksville's Moten School did not play softball until seventh grade, but Oliver was so talented she was permitted to play as a sixth-grader. She continued to follow the sport after moving to Polk County at age 15 and dreamed of returning to play or coach in Brooksville.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? A retired Hernando County health department employee, Oliver lives in south Brooksville with her grandson, Ja-Kell, 15, and granddaughter, Domonique Lawson, 18. She recently was re-elected as Kennedy Park Little League president and continues to work tirelessly on the league's behalf, organizing registrations, working in the concession stands, making calls from the press box, keeping the scorebook and attending league meetings. "I'll be there as long as they will re-elect me," she said, "and should they not re-elect me, I will still be connected with the program in some manner."
WORDS TO LIVE BY: "These kids need a place to play.' I heard her say that quite a bit, and when she said "to play' ball, what I got from it was it didn't mean hitting the ball, running around the bases and having a good time, but learning how to get along with others, learning sportsmanship and learning how to operate under pressure." - Dan Oliver.
