By: By Brandon Scardigli
KENNESAW, Ga. – A four-time All-Conference selection on the softball diamond, Keri McKee (Cortolano) now earns the distinction of Hall of Famer as the standout gets inducted into the KSU Hall of Fame on October 11.
"Being inducted into the KSU Hall of Fame is an incredible experience that I never would have expected but am so grateful to be acknowledged for," said Cortolano. "It truly is an honor to be recognized at this level, but definitely not something that I could have accomplished on my own. I was surrounded by an amazing team of friends and athletes and some wonderful coaches that made me a better person and player on a daily basis."
Cortolano, a member of the softball team from 2004-07, holds the rare distinction of earning Conference Player of the Year titles in both the NCAA Division II and Division I levels, bringing home Peach Belt Conference honors in 2005 and Atlantic Sun accolades in 2007.
"This was a 'no-brainer'", said Cortolano's former head coach
Scott Whitlock. "I am so happy for her. Keri's name appears in every important statistical category within our record book. She is the school's (softball) all-time leader in hits, RBIs, doubles, career batting average (Division I, .416) and she tops the list in games played. With all of those accolades, perhaps what is most remarkable is that Keri was the Player-of-the-Year in both the Peach Belt Conference and the Atlantic Sun Conference. She was a great teammate, and to this day has the best laugh of any Owl Softball player."
Statistically one of the best players to wear the KSU uniform, Cortolano ranks second all-time in school history with a .413 batting average and is the program's Division I leader with a .416 mark.
Cortolano still holds nine Top 10 records including ranking No. 1 in hits with 339, RBI with 216, doubles with 65, at-bats with 820 and games played at 258.
On top of her Player of the Year seasons, Cortolano also earned a Freshman of the Year award from the Peach Belt Conference in 2004 while also earning All-South Region honors.
That same season, Cortolano brought home South Atlantic Regional All-Tournament Team honors while leading KSU to a 2004 NCAA Division II Softball World Series appearance.
"KSU was an experience of a lifetime for me and continues to be a part of my life on a daily basis," added Cortolano. "The education I received I utilize in my career every day. The friends that I made are still friends that I speak to all of the time. I met my husband, Brandon, at KSU (where he is still employed) and have a daughter and a son on the way.
"When Coach Whitlock asked me to come to KSU I never could have imagined what would come of my four short years there, but I could not imagine my life turning out any other way. I consider myself very lucky that he saw something in me on the softball field that gave me the opportunity to go to school at KSU and create the memories that I did while attending, but the fact that I continue to reap the benefits of this decision every day is such a blessing."
Following her playing career, Cortolano obtained her master's degree in counseling from North Georgia College and State University and is an active professionally licensed therapist where she serves as Program Manager for Georgia HOPE.
Cortolano currently resides in Dallas, Ga. with her husband Brandon and 3-year old daughter, Kinsleigh, with a son, Luke, due in late December.
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