Who is she? Trista Cox, a former star infielder for the Central Michigan Cippewas.
What is she known for? After beginning her career quietly at Louisville, Cox transferred to CMU and made an immediate impact, earning her first of three consecutive all-conference selections. She was named to the all-MAC first-team in her senior season of 2015 and ended her career in the top five in program history in career home runs.
Here’s something interesting… Trista and then-boyfriend Tyler Sunderland went mini-viral online after Tyler dropped to one knee and proposed at home plate on the Chippewas’ Senior Day in Trista’s final season. She said yes!
Quotable quote: “Respect the game by playing every pitch the way that it is meant to be played. Respect your coaches and understand that they are the ones giving you the opportunity to be part of the game. Respect your teammates, because they are the ones you will fight alongside every day toward that one common goal. And respect the fact that you have the opportunity to lace up your cleats every day, especially when workouts or practices seem tough on the days you think you don’t want to show up and work.”
What’s she up to now? Now Mrs. Sunderland after that proposal on Senior Day, Trista worked as an assistant coach at Division II UIndy under Melissa Frost and Sara Kubuske, where she helped lead the Greyhounds to a 33-21 record in 2017. She also has worked in the Championship and Marketing Department for the NCAA.
Keep up: You can find Trista on Twitter @tsunderland25.
