Graham signs with Cleveland State
Clinton Lady Dragons softball standout Elizabeth Graham signed a letter of intent to continue her academic and athletic career at Cleveland State Community College in Cleveland, Tennessee. She is joined by Angela Carter (left), her father, Jerry Graham, along with the Lady Dragons coaching staff and the school’s athletic director to celebrate the occasion. (photo:Tony Cox )
Graham recently signed her National Letter of Intent to continue her academic and athletic pursuits at Cleveland State Community College. She and CHS teammate Elizabeth Maples finalized their commitments during a joint ceremony.
The chance to stay fairly close to home was appealing, Graham said, and she looks forward to returning on weekends when her schedule allows.
“I’ll be able to come home on the weekends,” she said. “I’ll come home on the weekends in the fall, but I can’t in the spring because I’ll be playing.”
Her interest in Cleveland State grew during a showcase session that gave her a chance to work with the Cougars’ coaching staff and meet the players.
“We did a showcase there. It was like a practice, and it was really easy being around the girls and talking to the coaches,” she said. “Then I went on a tour and just fell in love with it. I loved it.”
Graham plans to major in pre-med with the goal of becoming an ultrasound technician. She also received an offer from Chattanooga State Community College but ultimately trusted her instincts.
“I considered going to Chatt State. They made me an offer,” she said. “But I just felt more at home in Cleveland.”
With her commitment complete, Graham can fully focus on her final season. She hopes it brings a return to health after battling serious setbacks earlier in her career.
“My sophomore year, I broke my back and didn’t have a very good season. I came back for my junior year,” she said. “Now, I just want to focus on not getting hurt.”
Clinton coach Leonard Sams said Graham’s resilience is what sets her apart.
“She’ll be successful at Cleveland State, and she’ll be successful in life,” Sams said. “You talk about mental toughness. She’s had adversity and injuries, and a lot of people would’ve given up the sport. So I know she’ll be successful.”