Addy Heads to Notre Dame Softball Camp With Grandma, Tapping Into Dreams, Tradition, and Her Top Five College Choice

IYKYK!!! It’s a moment filled with emotion, tradition, gratitude, and hope as Addy sets foot on the hallowed grounds of the University of Notre Dame today, accompanied by her beloved grandmother, Gail Durant Wilson—lovingly called “Nana.” With softball gear packed, smiles wide, and hearts full, the journey to South Bend carries far more than just athletic ambition—it’s a symbol of a family’s shared dreams, support, and a growing sense of purpose for a young athlete carving out her future.

Addy is attending a prestigious softball camp at Notre Dame this weekend, and the excitement in the air is unmistakable. But this trip isn’t just about elite coaching or sharpening skills on the field. It’s also about connection. A campus tour has been folded into the itinerary, and every step on the iconic university’s grounds represents a step closer to a vision Addy has long held dear. Notre Dame is one of the Top 5 schools on her carefully crafted college list, and this weekend is a golden opportunity to deepen her sense of belonging and possibility.

Family has been the bedrock of this journey from day one. Nana Gail and “Bumpy”—Addy’s grandfather Bruce K. Wilson—are instrumental figures in making this trip happen, not just financially, but emotionally. Their encouragement has helped shape Addy’s resilience, groundedness, and determination. With their help, she’s been able to pursue elite athletic experiences and nurture a dream that’s starting to feel more tangible. For many families, the cost, logistics, and coordination required to attend national-level camps can be daunting. But this week, Nana stepped in with a sense of calm purpose and unconditional love, embodying everything that makes this story so heartwarming.

It’s a tradition in Addy’s household that every time one of the kids heads to the car for a game or practice, they reach up and tap a special sign—a replica of Notre Dame’s famed “Play Like A Champion Today” banner. The same sign that Notre Dame football players famously hit as they descend the tunnel before storming the field at Notre Dame Stadium. It was a heartfelt gift from the kids to their dad years ago, and it has since become a sacred ritual—an emblem of focus, grit, and unity.

But this weekend, tapping the sign hit differently.

As Addy walked past it on her way to the car, this time with a packed duffel and her eyes set on campus, the ritual felt more intimate. More charged. That sign, usually a symbol of game-day readiness, transformed into a powerful reminder of how close she is to stepping into something bigger. Not just another camp—but a window into what life might actually look like at Notre Dame. To walk where thousands of students have walked. To be coached on fields where champions are made. To experience, even briefly, life as a Fighting Irish student-athlete. It was one of those small but powerful moments—the kind you hold onto.

Addy’s smile said it all. There’s a joyful lightness that’s been following her around since the plan for this trip became reality. Whether it was checking weather forecasts for South Bend, packing her favorite gear, or flipping through photos of campus landmarks, the excitement has been unshakable. There’s no pressure here—just pure gratitude and wonder. It’s that rare mix of opportunity meeting readiness that makes you believe you’re right where you’re supposed to be.

Of course, Notre Dame isn’t just another name on Addy’s list—it’s a program that aligns with her values, her academic aspirations, and her love for the game. With a world-renowned education, a competitive Division I softball team, and a campus culture steeped in legacy and integrity, Notre Dame offers the kind of environment where student-athletes like Addy can truly thrive. She’s not just exploring what the facilities are like or what drills she’ll run. She’s asking herself bigger questions: “Can I see myself here every day?” “Does this feel like home?”

And from the looks of it, the answer is leaning closer and closer to yes.

But getting to this moment didn’t happen overnight. Addy’s journey has been built on years of sweat, setbacks, road trips, and resilience. She’s put in the work, stayed humble, and remained fiercely coachable. Her talent has earned her invitations to elite camps across the country, and her consistency keeps her on the radar of top collegiate programs. This weekend at Notre Dame offers a chance to not only showcase her skills but to connect with coaches, teammates, and mentors who can help her take the next step.

For her family, watching Addy grow into herself through sports has been nothing short of inspiring. They’ve been there in the stands, in the early-morning drives, in the late-night pep talks. Nana and Bumpy have been rocks. Their presence this week is more than logistical—it’s emotional. It’s legacy work. It’s love in motion.

And for Addy, this trip is proof that hard work opens doors. That passion paired with discipline takes you places. That the dreams you dare to say out loud—the ones you build rituals around and visualize daily—can begin to manifest in ways that take your breath away.

Tapping the “Play Like A Champion Today” sign might’ve started as a pre-game habit, but now, it’s something more. It’s a family mantra. A symbol of hope. A whispered promise that whatever comes next, Addy’s path is unfolding just as it should.

As she laces up her cleats and heads into drills, meets new teammates, and absorbs the spirit of Notre Dame’s campus, she’s not just participating—she’s preparing. And smiling all the way through it.

This moment, this weekend, is one for the memory books. One for the scrapbook. One that will be retold at family dinners, senior nights, and maybe, someday, college signing day. It’s the kind of story that starts with “Remember when…” and ends with “Look how far you’ve come.”

For now, Addy is just enjoying the ride. Taking in the sights. Listening to her coaches. Letting her smile lead. With Nana by her side and her family’s love behind her, she’s more than ready for what’s ahead.

IYKYK.