By: Tom Zulewski

Villanova Media Relations

VILLANOVA, Pa.- Senior softball pitcher Kate Poppe was born to be a Wildcat.

No, literally, Villanova Blue and White runs through her DNA.

The Downingtown, Pa. native is just one of numerous family members that have attended Villanova over the years.

Her parents Chris and Christine Poppe both attended Villanova, as well as her mother's sister and brother. Poppe's grandfather, John Brokars, played basketball at Villanova from 1961-62.

Brokars' uncle was the late Fr. Don Burt, O.S.A. who attended Villanova from 1949-52, and later returned to Villanova in 1967 to teach. From 1968 to 1970, Burt was assigned to St. Mary's Hall, the Augustinian Collegiate Seminary, and served as the Province's Regent of Studies as well as Dean of Arts and Sciences at the university. After stints in Florida and Massachusetts, Burt would return to Villanova in 1980 where he would continue to teach and serve on campus.

Following in her family's footsteps by attending Villanova is something that Poppe cherishes.

"Ever since I could walk I have been supporting Villanova," Poppe said. "When I was little I would say that I would go to Villanova when I am older. At the time, I didn't know obviously, but when I started to play softball I thought it would be awesome. I just kind of went for it and the stars aligned."

Poppe started playing softball when she was six years old in tee ball, and started pitching as soon as she could. She notes that her father has had the biggest impact on her softball career to date.

"He's always been my coach throughout my whole life and still is now," Poppe stated. "We talk about coaching together in the future. He really got into softball and even started his own team back home called the Exton Millennium."

On the field, Poppe has already left an indelible mark at Villanova through her first three seasons.

In 2014, Poppe was named Second Team All-BIG EAST as she broke Villanova's single-season strikeout record finishing the year with 284 whiffs. She ranked eighth in the NCAA in total strikeouts and 15th in the country, averaging 9.1 strikeouts per seven innings.

Poppe also posted team-high marks in wins (13), complete games (18), and shutouts (2). She led the conference with 219.0 innings pitched and held hitters to a conference low .192 batting average.

Last season, Poppe would garner Second Team All-BIG EAST honors once again as she led the conference in strikeouts (246), games started (30), and innings pitched (206.1).

She would also etch her name into the Villanova record books as she broke the all-time career strikeouts record of 718 previously held by Keri Stoller on April 18, 2015 vs. Providence. Poppe currently has 786 career strikeouts.

Of all the special moments Poppe has had at Villanova, one moment shines the brightest.

"That last [regular season] game against St. John's last year was awesome," Poppe recalls. "Everything lined up in our favor and it came to that last game on that day...having that five years coming moment with the team was awesome."

Villanova made the postseason last year for the first time in five years. Although the Wildcats fell to St. John's, 5-4, in the BIG EAST playoffs, Poppe sees the experience as a learning opportunity heading into this season.

"It was nice to have a taste of success last year," Poppe states. "Now that we know that we can get there, the next step is to be a championship team and take all the positives from last year and transfer them to this year."

While graduation maybe the last thing on Poppe's mind right about now, transitioning into coaching softball after college is something the marketing major is considering.

"I really want to coach," Poppe exclaimed. "I don't exactly know how to go about that right now, but I think I am going to apply to big programs and see if I can get in there. If I have to volunteer or GA for a year or two I would do that. Eventually, I want get a spot with my Dad coaching side-by-side."

Poppe and the rest of her Wildcat teammates kick of their fall exhibition schedule with two homes this Saturday against Delaware and Delaware State at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. respectively.