UCLA #FreeTheGOAT: What does it mean?
There’s a new hashtag surrounding the UCLA softball team at the Women’s College World Series. The Bruin faithful are saying #FreeTheGOAT in support of Assistant Coach Lisa Fernandez who was suspended for two games after arguing balls and strikes and making physical contact with an umpire Saturday afternoon.
Fernandez was a three-time Olympic Gold Medalist, three-time Honda Award winner, four-time First-Team All-American and is currently in her 19th season as a member of the UCLA coaching staff.
Former Bruin Jazmine Sosa decided to take matters into her own hands, literally.
“I figured if I went to Walmart or wherever to get a pack of shirts really quick I could do an iron on of Lisa’s photo,” said Sosa. “We ended up finding a lady who was a print maker just around the corner and she was able to make between 30 and 50 shirts in about two hours. She was caught off-guard but she made it happen.”
Almost the entire UCLA section was sporting brand new white t-shirts with Fernandez’ Olympic headshot during the game against Washington on Saturday night.
Sosa, is one year removed from the UCLA softball program where she was Bullpen MVP.
“I love every second of wearing a UCLA uniform,” said Sosa. “The highlight of my career was when I caught her bullpen session.”
In addition to the shirts, the fans also made signs to mark their seating section. Instead of reading “UCLA” the signs have a photo of a goat and says, “Radery.”
“Radery has been this team’s meshing word. They work really well together and have each other’s backs and will do whatever it takes to defend each other,” said Sosa. “Lisa is an awesome person, an awesome athlete and she was defending our team and I felt like if she had our team’s back then we for sure should have hers.”
