Softball's Tiffany Weight Experienced At Winning Championships

Dec. 16, 2002

NORMAN, Okla. - Oklahoma softball's Tiffany Weight came to Norman with a championship already under her belt. The senior from Springville, Utah, played her first two seasons at Utah Valley State College and led the Wolverines to the NJCAA national title in 2000. Weight's journey to the University of Oklahoma was recently profiled in the UVSC alumni magazine by Angela Twining.

It is presented here with permission from and thanks to the UVSC alumni association:

For Tiffany Weight, Utah Valley State College wasn't the beginning. It wasn't the end. It was right smack in the middle.

The 21-year-old athlete, who stands five feet four inches tall, was born and raised in Springville, Utah, and is now playing softball for the NCAA highly-ranked University of Oklahoma. At age 12, Weight signed up to play county ball, and her adventures at shortstop lured her into a love affair with the game that has lasted nearly a decade.

"In softball, it's best not to think," said Weight. "It's an intense focus -- but it's relaxed too. You just feel."

Weight came to UVSC with a solid defensive game, and according to UVSC Head Coach Todd Fairbourne, her field experience made her attractive to other four-year colleges. "I brought her in here for her defense," he said. "But when she left, she was one of the best all-around players I've coached. She was my lead-off hitter for two years and left here having excelled in every aspect of the game."

While setting records on the UVSC field, Weight was recruited first by the University of Tennessee, then the University of Oklahoma, Brigham Young University, University of Utah and several schools in Florida.

"She really developed a reputation nationwide," Fairbourne said. "Most schools don't look for 5'4" players but her size is overlooked because her defensive skills are so good."

Weight played for the Wolverine squad for two years while earning her associate's degree. As Fairbourne's shortstop, Weight set many UV softball records, including Top-10 season and career marks in nearly every category, offensively and defensively.

In 2001, Weight was named UVSC Female Athlete of the Year and Softball Player of the Year. She was team MVP both years she played for UVSC, likely a recognition that influenced her selection to the NJCAA All-Star Team that competed in the Canada Cup in 200 and 2001 -- a tournament that pits star players against worldwide Olympic teams.

"The fact is, athletes don't develop and become that good unless they possess all the character traits that are necessary," Fairbourne said. "Tiffany has self-initiative."

According to Fairbourne, the climax of Weight's career at UVSC was helping the Wolverines claim the NJCAA national title, UVSC's first and only national title. In 2001, Weight helped UVSC make a return trip to take ninth in the nation.

"It was unreal to know I was a national champion," Weight said. "Even today, I still think it's amazing."

The glitter of a national title along with her other records and accomplishments didn't just amaze Weight and Wolverines, it caught the University of Oklahoma's attention as well. Of all her recruiters, the Sooner team won both Weight's softball skills and her affection.

"They were one of the top programs at the time I was recruited," Weight said. "They won the NCAA World Series the same time UVSC won nationals. They have so much pride here."

According to Fairbourne, "Signing her on the heels of winning the national title was a great compliment to her abilities as a player. For the defending national champions, she was one of just five scholarship signees."

After her visiting campus and meeting the coaches and players, she knew Oklahoma would be the next chapter in her softball story.

Head Coach Patty Gasso coached Oklahoma to a 49-16 record in 2002. At Oklahoma, Weight is both starting and finishing many games at second base. "When she came here we were losing one of the best second basemen in the history of our program," said Gasso. "She had to fill some really big shoes, but she handled things like a pro. She's very steady defensively and brought us stability."

"Being at the College World Series was probably one of my best moments," Weight said, who now wears Sooner jersey No. 16. "Having little kids around wanting autographs and seeing all the people there, I thought,'This is amazing. I'm here, and this is where everyone wants to be who plays softball.'"

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Softball's Tiffany Weight Experienced At Winning Championships

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