Sooner No More: Avery Hodge Breaks Her Silence on Leaving Oklahoma Softball – “It Was the Hardest Decision of My Life”
Norman, OK – July 1, 2025
In a candid and deeply emotional exclusive, former Oklahoma Sooners infielder Avery Hodge has finally broken her silence about the decision that shook the college softball world last year: her unexpected departure from Patty Gasso’s powerhouse program. One year after leaving Norman, the talented athlete has spoken out for the first time about why she walked away from a team that had just secured its fourth consecutive national championship.
“I’ve stayed quiet for a long time because I didn’t want to take away from what the program was accomplishing,” Hodge told Sooner Nation Report in a tearful one-on-one interview. “But I think now is the right time. People deserve to know the truth, and I owe it to myself to stop hiding.”
—
A Shocking Exit From a Dynasty
Avery Hodge’s exit from Oklahoma Softball in the summer of 2024 left fans and analysts stunned. The then-sophomore infielder had been a spark plug on and off the field. Known for her lightning-quick speed, fiery competitive nature, and relentless hustle, she was seen by many as the heir to the Sooners’ middle infield future. Hodge had even contributed valuable postseason minutes during Oklahoma’s historic run in the 2023 and 2024 Women’s College World Series.
When her name mysteriously disappeared from the team’s fall roster in 2024 and all her Oklahoma-affiliated social media bios were wiped clean, rumors ran rampant—transfer portal theories, injury speculation, even suggestions of a rift within the locker room. But Hodge stayed silent.
Until now.
—
Mental Health, Pressure, and Finding Her Voice
“I wasn’t okay,” Hodge said plainly. “I didn’t want to admit it to myself, let alone the people around me. From the outside, everything looked perfect. But inside, I was battling anxiety and a sense of losing who I was.”
According to Hodge, the pressure of performing at the highest level in college softball—under the microscope of millions of fans and a dynasty’s expectations—had taken a toll.
“Playing for Oklahoma was an honor,” she said. “But I got to a place where I couldn’t tell if I was playing for myself or just trying not to disappoint everyone around me. The expectations were relentless. If you went 2-for-3, people asked why you didn’t go 3-for-3.”
Though she didn’t directly point fingers at anyone within the program, Hodge admitted the mental toll of being in such an elite, high-performance culture eventually caught up with her.
“There’s a standard at OU Softball that is unparalleled. Coach Gasso built something legendary. But not everyone thrives under that intensity. I started to feel more like a robot than a person.”
—
A Private Battle, A Public Decision
As the summer of 2024 approached, Hodge confided in a small circle: family, close friends, and a mental health counselor she’d quietly started seeing through the university’s wellness center. After a long, gut-wrenching internal struggle, she made the call.
“I walked into Coach Gasso’s office with shaking hands. I told her I needed to step away. I didn’t know what was next, but I knew I couldn’t keep pretending.”
Hodge describes the meeting with Gasso as “respectful, emotional, and supportive,” adding that while the coaching staff was surprised, they ultimately backed her choice.
“She hugged me,” Hodge said. “I’ll never forget that. She told me to prioritize my peace. That meant everything.”
—
The Year Away: Reflection, Growth, and Healing
Following her departure, Hodge took a full year away from the game, opting not to immediately transfer or even participate in competitive softball. She moved back home to Texas and focused on herself.
“For the first time in years, I slept in without guilt. I walked without cleats. I picked up my glove just to feel the leather again, not because I had to be at practice.”
She also began studying psychology at a nearby community college and started a podcast called The Dugout Mind, where she anonymously interviewed student-athletes across NCAA sports about mental health. The podcast gained quiet momentum, drawing thousands of listeners and sparking conversations in athletic departments nationwide.
“That year saved me,” Hodge confessed. “It reminded me why I fell in love with the game in the first place.”
—
What’s Next? A Return to the Field?
While Hodge stopped short of announcing any official return to NCAA softball, she confirmed that she’s been in conversations with multiple programs and has been training again—this time on her own terms.
“I haven’t ruled out coming back,” she said. “I still have eligibility. I still have fire. But if I do, it’s going to be somewhere that sees me not just as an athlete, but as Avery. As a whole person.”
Rumors have swirled about potential interest from SEC programs, with whispers of Florida, Texas A&M, and even Oklahoma State reaching out. When asked if she’d ever consider returning to OU, Hodge paused.
“I love the people there. But that chapter might be closed. And that’s okay. Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is leave something you love.”
—
Reactions Pour In
Since the release of her interview, social media has exploded with messages of support from fans, athletes, and mental health advocates.
Former teammate Jayda Coleman tweeted:
> “I love you forever, @AveryHodge. Proud of you. Thank you for speaking truth and lighting the path for others.”
Current Oklahoma softball captain Kinzie Hansen shared on Instagram:
> “Wishing Avery nothing but healing and happiness. She was one of the fiercest competitors I ever played with. This story needs to be heard.”
Even Coach Patty Gasso released a brief statement through the university:
> “Avery Hodge will always be a part of the OU Softball family. Her courage in speaking out is admirable. We wish her the very best in everything she does.”
—
More Than a Player
In a sports world obsessed with statistics, titles, and trophies, Hodge’s story is a powerful reminder that athletes are human. Her departure may have been quiet, but her return to the spotlight—on her own terms—is anything but.
“I’m not a cautionary tale,” she said in closing. “I’m a comeback story in progress. And whether I ever wear a jersey again or not, I’m finally proud of who I see in the mirror.”
—
[END OF ARTICLE]
