The purple and gold of the Escalon Cougars served as a backdrop; the red and white of the Nebraska Huskers was front and center.

Escalon High School senior Macie Vickers officially signed to play collegiate softball at Nebraska next year, following graduation from EHS. The three-sport star for the Cougars was feted at a signing ceremony staged in the new gym on the campus the afternoon of Nov. 8, with family, friends, coaches and teammates from school teams and her travel softball squad, Love The Game, all on hand.

“This day of celebration; it’s a culmination of a lot of days and a lot of weekend tournaments,” Escalon High School Athletic Director Andrew Beam said in welcoming those attending the event. “What’s very impressive about this whole thing is the fact that she’s not just a single sport superstar, she’s a three-sport star and to do three sports throughout high school and do them at a high level and to get an offer to a university like this; I know we’re all very excited for Macie.”

Macie has played softball, volleyball and basketball throughout her high school years, finding success all along the way.

Varsity girls basketball coach Joe Dalpogetti offered a few thoughts on Macie getting the opportunity to suit up for softball at Nebraska.

“I found it a little ironic that I would be the one asked to speak today,” Dalpogetti said, since basketball is considered Macie’s ‘third sport’ behind softball and volleyball.

Showcasing her athletic ability, she has piled up accolades in all three sports, not the least of which was the Trans-Valley League girls basketball MVP, two-time All-District and two-time All-League, with one more hoops season to play at the high school level.

Dalpogetti said Macie is “a student of the game” in whatever sport she is playing.

“We just started our season (basketball) last week, now she’s a senior and she’s still asking questions,” Dalpogetti said. “She still has an eagerness to get better and to learn.”

He also pointed to her love for athletics and her teammates.

“You get the heart of a champion,” Dalpogetti added. “She plays with a ton of passion and when we watch film, I often see her more excited when her teammates do something well over when she does something well, so she’s a great team player.”

Dad Danny Vickers took to the podium to thank those that turned out for the celebration, and recounted the roads traveled to get there, the family sacrifices, the tag team parenting with wife Joyce, the support from grandparent on both sides and the tremendous love and encouragement of an entire community.

“Macie’s softball journey started down the road, at the Escalon Recreation Department,” he said of her very first introduction to the game when she was seven years old.

Later in travel softball, Vickers said, Macie hit a wall and considered dropping the sport but he attributed her most recent travel coaches for reigniting the passion and helping her find the drive that would eventually lead to signing with the Huskers.

Mom Joyce said Macie also benefited from her older sisters, who never cut her any slack, forcing her to keep up with them. That helped push her to a different level as well.

“We’re so proud of Macie and it has been a long, long time coming; all the weekends and the travel, trying to have a normal family life is hard,” Joyce said. “But it is definitely worth it; I couldn’t be more proud of Macie.”

For her part, the senior was happy to share the day with those who mean the most to her.

“I want to thank everyone who has been here and supported me along this process; I would not be here today without each and every one of you,” Macie said. “From the start of softball, it has always been the goal, to get to the next level.”

She also thanked her sisters for their influence, her grandparents for their support, her mom for being her best friend and her dad for being her road trip buddy and best friend.

“Lastly, I would like to thank Escalon High School for allowing me to represent this town and teaching me how to play for something other than myself,” Macie said. “The day is finally here; I’m officially committed to the University of Nebraska … I am beyond excited for the next four. Go Big Red.”