Mandy Mutula's No. 14 jersey will be officially retired this Saturday afternoon during halftime of the University of Minnesota Duluth's Homecoming football clash with Northern State University, marking the first time a Bulldog Division II athlete will be so honored. The ceremony is set to be held at James S. Malosky Stadium, which will serve as the softball Bulldogs' home facility in 2015.
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Matula, who died in May 2013 at the age of 24, was a starting pitcher and utility player with the Bulldogs from 2007-08 to 2010-11. She wrapped up her UMD playing days with a .304 lifetime batting average and posted an 11-9 record in 31 career pitching appearances. Matula, who missed her entire junior season while recovering from knee surgery, was a member of UMD's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and an active volunteer in the Duluth community during her time with the Bulldogs.
"This is something Mandy would extremely proud of," said UMD head coach
Jen Banford. "Mandy was an all-around amazing young woman on and off the field. She emulated everything we want a Bulldog softball player to be and it is we are so proud to honor her by retiring her No. 14."
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In memory of Matula, UMD Athletics, in partnership with the Matula family, has established the UMD Softball 1 Four Mandy Matula Fund, which providedfinancial support for the Bulldog softball program. Donations to the UMD Softball 1 Four Mandy Matula Fund can be made on-line at:Â
www.giving.umn.edu/giveto/matula.
