Bulldogs Dedicate Season to Former Teammate

DULUTH - It was a beautiful spring day, as UMD's Softball team played on campus for the first time in nearly three years. But more important than hits, runs and errors was the chance to honor Mandy Matula, a former Bulldog who was killed nearly a year ago. That's the reason behind '1Four Mandy' weekend."We want to keep the memory of Mandy strong," says former teammate Brooke Neuroth. "She's in our thoughts and our minds every day and we hope she stays in everyone else's."Neuroth knew Matula since high school, and says Matula was her idol. When Matula went missing, Neuroth says friends and former teammates hoped for a happy ending."We wanted to find Mandy and we wanted to bring her home alive," she says. "Obviously the worst happened and now we get to honor her like this."UMD softball coach Jen Banford remembers last spring as a difficult and emotional time."It was really tough, even on the kids that didn't know Mandy," said Banford. "We're a family and Mandy was a big part of creating what we have as this Bulldog family."The Bulldogs are playing for Matula this season, but that's not all. Next year UMD plans to retire Matula's number 14, making her the only Division II athlete to be so honored by the school. But this year, the Bulldogs decided to pay tribute by all wearing Mandy's number.Former teammates, like Megan Mullen, say Matula would be touched by the gesture."She would love it," said Mullen. "She would love these jerseys, love that we're all wearing purple."Banford says the purple also serves another purpose."The other thing with purple is that it's the color of domestic violence," said Banford. "We want to raise awareness and make sure this never happens again."The Bulldogs know they can't bring Mandy back, but this weekend helps keep her memory alive and well."That's been my main goal and I will never let it go as long as i'm here," said Banford."She's here with us and we know that," added NeurothThat's why the weekend, and the season, are 1Four Mandy.