Senior Profile: Priscilla Burns
4/29/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
by Megan Minnix, Media Relations Graduate Assistant
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Infielder Priscilla Burns is one of two seniors finishing up their last year as Golden Eagle softball players and getting ready to transition into life after college.
"It is sad. I have played softball my whole life," Burns said. "That chapter is ending. That is what scares me, but I am ready to look forward to the next chapter."
Burns, from River Ridge, La., transferred to Southern Miss from Nicholls State as a redshirt freshman after suffering a torn ACL. Initially, Burns didn't think she would be able to come back from her injury.
"You have to come every single day and want to get better," Burns said. "For me, that was the hardest part. The mentally having to prepare myself every single day. With that, it helped me with the future, but I knew right away that it was going to be a hard journey. Things happen for a reason. God has certain plans for us. I think that through adversity, I have become who I am today."
Burns joined the Southern Miss team in the fall of 2013. Despite being plagued by numerous injuries, she has played in multiple games, primarily coming off of the bench during the 2014 and 2015 seasons.
"When I was looking to transfer, I chose my school first," Burns said. "Softball was second, but we happen to have a good softball team here. I am so happy I chose Southern Miss. It has been a good journey for me. I think it has been the perfect one for me. I think if I would have stayed at Nicholls, I wouldn't have gotten the opportunities I've gotten here."
Senior Day for the softball team is Sunday, May 3 at 1:00 p.m. against Florida Atlantic. It will be an emotional time for the whole team, but especially for Burns, who says seeing her teammates will be very special.
"I have found sisters," Burns said. "I have certain ones that are super close to me, but all of them are my friends and no matter what they all have my back. To look out there and know that I won't be a part of that anymore, that will be the hardest part for me."
Although she is sad about closing the chapter on her softball career, Burns is grateful for the continuous support of Southern Miss fans.
"We have so many people that are behind us because of what we have done in the past and what we continue to do. Regardless, of the season that we have had, I can look out into the stands and know that our fans are going to be there regardless of the score. It is pure tradition."
Burns, who will graduate in December with a bachelor's degree in business management, has also spent time working for the Southern Miss athletics marketing department. She hopes to attend grad school and become a marketing graduate assistant.