Gina Ugo was a 3-sport athlete for four years, participating in volleyball, basketball and softball. Of those 3 sports she was a varsity letter winner in both basketball and softball her sophomore, junior and senior years. During her time, the basketball team won 2 conference championships and one regional championship. As a multi-sport athlete, Gina’s summers and semesters were filled with basketball summer leagues and camps, club volleyball, and travel softball games. She was often running from one practice to another in the same night. As much as Gina impacted the volleyball and basketball teams, she had the greatest impact in softball.

Gina began her softball career as a first baseman at the age of 10, but taught herself to pitch with a book and a brick wall. Gina practiced tirelessly to teach herself to pitch and when the freshman team needed a pitcher, she tried out. Gina excelled her freshman year and was moved to varsity her sophomore year. That year the team went undefeated in conference. Over the next two years, the softball team won the S.I.C.A. North conference, were 2 time regional champions and became the first ever Sandburg softball team to make the “Elite 8” State tournament in 1992.

Gina was a 3-time all-conference and all-area selection. She was named to the Chicago Tribune All-State team and was a Coca-Cola All Star, earning the distinction of being named both the Southtown Economist and Orland Park Star Player of the Year in 1992. Gina finished her senior year with a 21-1 record and a 0.34 ERA. She was voted best female athlete in her class. In the summers she played softball for the Orland Park Sparks, and helped carry them to 4 national tournament qualifications, finishing 7th in 1991.

Gina received a full softball scholarship to Indiana University and was the starting pitcher all four years. At IU she quickly became the top pitcher. In 1994, IU softball won the Big Ten Conference. Gina was named to the first team All Big Ten, second team All-Mideast Region, and three time Big Ten Pitcher of the week. In addition, she was named Coach’s Player of the Year. In 1995 Gina also received All Big Ten and all Mideast region selections. Finishing out her softball career, Gina was named to the NCAA All-American team, and awarded the Big Ten Medal of Honor in 1996.
At Indiana University, Gina not only excelled on the field, she did so in her studies where she was on the honor roll and received Academic All-Big Ten honors.

After graduating with an exercise science degree, she received her masters in exercise physiology and cardiac rehabilitation at Northeastern Illinois University. Continuing her education, she earned a masters degree in Physician Assistant Studies. During her postgraduate education, Gina continued to coach softball at Line Drive Baseball Academy and Governors State University. Gina is now a Physician Assistant at Rush Medical Center and lives with her husband and two dogs in Long Beach, Indiana.

Gina would like to thank her teachers, coaches, and athletic trainer at Carl Sandburg for their support and mentorship, and all her fellow teammates who over the years helped fuel her competitive drive and spirit. She especially would like to thank her mother, who spent countless hours in the stands and the car driving to events. Without her support these accomplishments would not have been possible.