Memorial service held in Riverside for former Paloma Valley softball player

At least 50 former teammates of Afton Williamson joined together in a huddle on the softball field of Riverside Community College Sunday night, chanting “Tigers!” to kick off a memorial service in honor of the Lake Elsinore resident who died along with two of her colleagues in North Dakota.

They wore T-shirts that bore Williamson’s photograph, inscribed with the words “Forever and For Always, Afton Williamson” on the front, and her No. 9 jersey number inside a red heart on the back.

Williamson was one of three Dickinson State softball players who died after the sport utility vehicle they were riding in drove into a North Dakota pond. The drowning deaths received national media coverage, but her family, friends and teammates were back in Riverside Sunday attending the service held for the daughter, sister, friend and athlete that had touched so many of their lives in her 20 years.

A former Paloma Valley High School player, Williamson played two years at RCC. At the service, an announcer’s voice rang out from the press box, saying “This is a celebration of life game, now let’s play ball.”

A large photograph of her stood on the pitching mound with her glove and ball resting next to it on the ground, all surrounded by a circle of glowing white candles.

“No games go by without a time-out, and I’m calling a meeting right now on the mound,” said Michelle Daddona, head coach.

Her teammates flooded the field, where they stayed for the duration of the service, some of them sharing memories of Williamson. They spoke of her infectious smile, and how many times she had come to their aid, never saying “no” when they needed her help with something.

“She was a teammate you could always count on. She had a heart of a champion and the number of lives she touched is countless,” said Audriana “Nana” Gutierrez, who went on a three-day road trip to North Dakota with Williamson this summer.

“There will never be a day that I will step on the field and won’t think of the No. 9,” she said.

Another teammate, Jackie Serna, spoke of how Williamson never rolled up her softball pants like the rest of them.

“We could never figure out why she didn’t, but in honor of her, I will no longer be rolling up my pants,” Serna said.

Shawna McBride, an infielder, said, “Right now, she’s chilling with the softball gods.”

They shared a quote they said Williamson lived by: “You tell me I can’t, I’ll show you I can.”

Each of the team members held a pastel blue balloon, with Williamson’s only sister Erin Mailloux holding a white balloon, which they simultaneously let go of, watching as they drifted into the night sky above the softball field.

Williamson, a right-handed pitcher and left-handed batter, played with the team in 2008 and 2009. She was Second-team All Conference (Orange Empire) in 2009, the same year the team went to the State Championships for the first time in its history, according to Robert Schmidt, athletics spokesman.

Schmidt, who is also president of the Orange Crest American Softball Association, said to see her go has been doubly hard on him. Not only did he work with her athletically through the college, she was a pitching coach and mentor for adolescent girls in the softball association he heads up.

“Afton was one of those (kids) that tug at your heart,” Schmidt said. “I have been doing this for 20 years, and I’d have to put her in my top five (players) of all time.”

Coach Daddona presented Williamson’s framed jersey to family members along with a photograph the team had signed.

“We will be wearing No. 9 on our sleeves and dedicating this season to her,” Daddona said. “There is no way we will let her down, as she never let us down, nor will she ever.”

Amy Cardullo, president of RCC Foundation and alumni affairs, announced that at the family’s request, a memorial scholarship fund is being set up in Williamson’s honor. It will be awarded to a current team member or a team member continuing on to a four-year school.

“It will be given to someone who shares her characteristics of academic excellence and caring spirit,” Cardullo said. “It is a great thing to come out of such a sad situation.”

Williamson’s mother and stepfather, Fred and Lizz Hutton of Tennessee, were present at the memorial, but did not comment; nor did Mailloux.

“They are just hurting,” said Gutierrez. “And we have to respect that.”

Williamson grew up attending school in Menifee Union School District, and played softball at Paloma Valley High School. Another memorial service is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 13 at Wheatfield Park in Menifee.

Tax-deductible donations to the Afton Williamson Memorial Scholarship Fund can be sent to Riverside Community College District Foundation, 4800 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, Calif., 92506. Questions regarding donations can be answered by calling 951-222-8626, and “Afton Williamson” should be written in the memo line of donors’ checks.

Maggie Avants is the education editor for SWRNN. Comments or stories suggestions can be sent to mavants.swrnn@gmail.com. Follow SWRNNedu on Twitter!

Tags: afton williamson, Dickinson State, Michelle Daddona, paloma valley high school, Riverside Community College, SWRNN

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