Alum Shows USCA Campus off to Visiting Athletes

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AIKEN, SC (04/02/2018) While in town for a softball tournament, a University of South Carolina Aiken alumna took time to give her players a tour of the campus.

Former USC Aiken softball pitcher, Monica Melton Barfield coaches the Indian Land High School Warriors softball team. The athletes are in town for the Triple Crown Invitational at Citizens Park.

Before their big game, Coach Barfield wanted to give her players a chance to meet her coach and get to know her alma mater.

While on campus, the exercise science and sociology major, took the team to the Convocation Center, where they were surprised to see her picture hanging in the lobby.

They also had a chance to meet Coach Jerry Synder, USC Aiken's softball coach, for whom Barfield played when she attended the university almost 20 years ago.

Snyder maintains the longest tenure in the Peach Belt Conference and is the only coach in the league to have coached since the PBC's inception. He is now in his 31st season as the head of the Pacer softball program.

Barfield, a Class of '96 alumna, shared with the Indian Land Warriors that "the campus has changed a lot" since she attended USC Aiken.

The library has a different vibe. Coffee, cell phones and conversation are now allowed as students are encouraged to collaborate on projects and study together in the Learning Commons. And, there was no Starbucks when she attended the university.