Barrett staying in the moment amid Notre Dame College closure, uncertain softball future
SOUTH EUCLID — As soon as Hope Barrett stepped on campus at Notre Dame College in South Euclid, she felt right at home.
The 2023 Madison alum loved everything about it. The softball program was great, her coaches were wonderful, the professors cared about her success and the academic program was top-notch.
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It had it all.
Until it didn't.
On Feb. 29, Notre Dame College officially announced it would cease academic instruction at the end of the 2024 spring semester bringing an end to an era of education that spanned 102 years citing declining enrollment, demographic challenges, rising costs and significant debt.
The move leaves Barrett wondering what comes next.
"When we first heard about it, we were kind of skeptical because you never hear of a college closing down after more than 100 years," Barrett said. "I wasn't really concerned about it until Christmas break when it got really serious."
Since the pandemic in 2019, Notre Dame College has seen a dip in enrollment. In 2022, its undergraduate enrollment number was at 1,376 in the fall, down nearly 37% since 2014. Barrett and her fellow softball teammates are in the middle of their softball season and will be tasked with figuring out their next steps while also navigating a season that could affect their future in college athletics.
"It is just weird to go through the process of finding a new home again," Barrett said. "It is hard on all of us."
Barrett is a starting outfielder for the Falcons who is hitting .212 with 14 hits, eight RBIs, a double, triple and 18 runs scored. She has also drawn 14 walks during her freshman campaign and has eight stolen bases in 10 attempts. She had a three-hit day on March 7 against Queens when she also recorded three RBIs. Two days later, she scored three times against Slippery Rock and secured herself a starting position very early into her college career.
She learned of the closure the day before the Falcons were scheduled to leave for their spring trip to Florida to begin their 2024 season.
"I am just doing everything I can to make this the best year possible," Barrett said. "That is how we all are. This will be the last Notre Dame College softball team ever. So, we feel like nothing can stop us now at this point. No one can take anything from us any more so we are going to go out full blast every game and play it like it's our last game because it will be at one point."
It won't be the last for Barrett in her college softball career. At season's end, she will find a different place to play in 2025 and has already been in contact with several colleges.
"I am taking it day-by-day and keeping every single one of my options open," Barrett said. "There is nothing set in stone. I have talked and emailed with different schools, and I am going to take some visits. I found my home here at Notre Dame College, and now I have to find another one that fits as perfect as this place did. It is going to be hard, but I will feel everything out."
Notre Dame College has offered a resource with its Teach-Out Program, which partners with Baldwin Wallace University, Cleveland State University, Hiram College, John Carroll University, Kent State University, Lake Erie College, Ursuline College, Walsh University and Mercyhurst University (Erie, Pa.). Additional partners might be announced during the remainder of the spring semester so, there are options for Barrett and her teammates.
"They will match your tuition on a year-to-year basis," Barrett said. "It all depends on which credits you have and which ones transfer to those schools. That is really nice to have that resource, and they allow you to talk to other schools while you're still playing."
Notre Dame College held a Teach-Out convention to help its students learn more about the program and get them in front of partner schools. Unfortunately, it was the day of the first home softball game.
"That was so hectic because we were all there talking to different schools and trying to figure out what our next move is going to be, but we also had to get focused for our first game of the season," Barrett said. "We were there for like 20 minutes and had to leave to get ready for our game. It was just a lot."
After that, Barrett decided to just focus on softball and school and let the rest take care of itself. After games, she finds herself talking to opposing players who want her to join their team next season even after NDC just picked up a win. The Falcons are 26-19 and have just 10 regular-season games left before the Mountain East Conference Tournament begins. So decision time is looming.
"It is so hard to play a team that we know we could beat next year," Barrett said. "It is also hard because a school reaches out wanting you on their team next year and then you play them and that distraction is in your head, but you have to focus on the game and the moment."
Which seems to be the only way Barrett can approach the next phase of her life and college softball career. Stay in the moment and what happens next is meant to be. She will lean on family, friends and coaches to guide her.
And trust that another home is out there.
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This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Madison grad Hope Barrett talks about Notre Dame College closure
