Inside Connors: Support for VIENNA STARS

While Connors Pest Control has always “given back to the community,” nothing says that more than the support they provide to local youth sports teams.

For the past 5 years, Connors has been a major sponsor of the VIENNA STARS 95 Girls Fast Pitch Softball Team. The Stars are an elite group of 14 and 15 year old girls playing fastpitch softball at the highest level. Many of the ladies have been playing softball since the age of 6 or 7 and are now considered some of the finest players in the nation at their age level.

The team formed in the fall of 2005 with a group of 10 year olds and a rookie coach with a dream of being the best. That dream was soon to be realized as they were named National Champions within a year. Some of the players have changed, but the team still has 4 of the original players from that first year including Hannah Tomey, daughter of Connors employee Dan Tomey.

The team has compiled an impressive record over the years including 2 state championships and, of course, that National Championship of 2006.

Most of the young ladies on the team were high school freshmen this past school year. Two years ago they were given a goal by their coach to not only make their high school varsity squad as freshmen, but to be a starter. All of them accomplished that goal and all of them were recognized with All District 1st or 2nd team selections. Take note that no two players attend the same school. Anyone who has played high school sports in a major metropolitan area will understand how difficult a feat that is, especially as a freshman.

The team returned last week from the Va. State Championship with a second place finish, and more importantly a berth to this year’s ASA national Championship in Moline, Illinois. In past years we have placed 29th and 33rd in the country. This year they plan to win it all. This week the team leaves for the Pennsbury Invitational north of Philadelphia to showcase their talents for the weekend in front of college coaches from across the east coast. The recruiting process has begun. In two weeks, they leave for Denver Colorado to compete against some of the best teams in the country. Again, many college coaches from across the country will be in attendance. Over the years the Vienna Stars organization has sent many young ladies off to college with scholarship in hand. So while all of these young ladies play for the “Love of the Game,” there is a reward at the end for a lot of them.

As you can see, this is truly a travel team. And as such, it requires a great amount of money to fund this endeavor. With the support of Connors Pest Control, these young ladies are well on their way to achieving all of their dreams.