Courtney Ceo Hangs Up Her Cleats

March 12, 2018 (Viera, FL) Courtney Ceo will continue being a part of USSSA as she transitions from professional athlete to business professional. Ceo, the fifth overall draft pick in the 2014 National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) by the USSSA Pride, has announced her retirement from the NPF following four seasons with the Pride. She will continue her professional career with USSSA as the Program Director for USA Elite Select, the elite division of USSSA Fastpitch.

“I have been extremely fortunate to have played for as long as I did. I will absolutely miss standing next to my teammates on the field in that competitive atmosphere but look forward to next chapter of my life. I am extremely grateful for having the support from USSSA allowing me to play at the highest level. ”

The Pride drafted Ceo in the first round of the 2014 NPF Draft following her All American career at the University of Oregon. In Ceo’s senior season, she led NCAA Softball in batting average hitting an astounding .493. She was an All American her senior season and four-time All Pac 12 award winner as she helped Oregon to two Pac 12 Championships and two WCWS appearances.

In her NPF career, Ceo was a member of three NPF Regular Season Championships and helped the Pride win the Cowles Cup her rookie season in 2014. Ceo was easily one of the most versatile players in the NPF as she spent time at third base, second base, and the outfield. In her NPF career, Ceo posted a .238 career batting average and swiped 13 bases. She completed her four seasons with a .959 fielding percentage in 315 total chances.

Ceo will now oversee the day-to-day operations and management of the USA Elite Select program. She will fill the role left behind by Jami Lobpries who is now the Vice President of Marketing for USSSA.

“I am thrilled to continue my professional career with USSSA. When the Pride drafted me, our General Manager Don DeDonatis told me I would have plenty of opportunities in the future not only as an athlete but professional career as well. I intend on helping grow the game and be a part of an incredible team USSSA has put together to manage this program. Jami Lobpries and others have laid a foundation for the program with incredible events across the country and a National Championship that provides an experience like no other. I am looking forward to continuing to grow USA Elite Select and providing experiences for young female athletes.”

USA Elite Select, the elite division of USSSA Fastpitch, was launched in the Fall of 2015 by USSSA. It is a national program for fastpitch that provides opportunities and events for elite-level fastpitch players. Ceo will be responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations, which includes the WFC Qualifying Series, the World Fastpitch Championship, and the Futures World Fastpitch Championship. She will work with USA Elite Select regional directors to build and operate quality events across the country. Furthermore, Ceo will build and maintain relationships with elite-level coaches and college coaches to ensure USA Elite Select is fulfilling it’s mission and delivering value to the elite game.

About USSSA: USSSA is headquartered in Viera, Florida. USSSA is the world’s largest multi-sport athletic organization. Founded in 1968, USSSA has grown to over 4 million participants, competing in 14 nationally sanctioned sports including Baseball, Fastpitch, Slow Pitch, Karate, Basketball, Soccer and more! For more information about USSSA, visit www.usssa.com and follow USSSA on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

About NPF: National Pro Fastpitch (NPF), an Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball since 2004, provides elite female athletes with an opportunity to pursue a professional career in fastpitch softball beyond their collegiate and amateur success.  The NPF affiliate teams consist of the Akron Racers, Aussie Spirit, Beijing Shougang Eagles, Chicago Bandits, Scrap Yard Dawgs, and USSSA Florida Pride for the 2018 season. National Pro Fastpitch players hail from the United States, Australia, Canada and China among which are the most accomplished and talented athletes in the sport of women’s softball.