Radford softball recently completed its third consecutive year as host of the Jennie Finch Softball Camp. The camp was held Sept. 10-11 at Randolph Park in Pulaski, Va. and featured Finch, along with a group of fellow Olympians and professional teammates, providing two days of personal instruction covering all aspects of softball.

The event also featured a champions dinner held on Sept. 9 at the Radford Motor Mile Speedway. The night is a chance for campers and families to have dinner with Finch and her camp staff as well as bid in silent a auction on select Finch and professional memorabilia.

Joining Finch at this year's camp were Leah O'Brien-Amico, Toni Mascarenas, Andrea Duran, MacKenzie Vandergeest and her father Doug.

Another successful turnout and well run event, earned the honor “camp of the year.”

“We are honored that our camp was selected as “camp of the year,” commented three-time Big South Coach of the Year Mickey Dean. “Congratulations to all of the volunteers and thank you to all of our sponsors. Also, a special thank you to Anthony Akers for allowing us to use Randolph Park for our camp location.”

A very generous gesture was made during the first lunch session on Saturday. Finch announced there would be a special auction to have dinner with her and the camp staff that evening. In an effort to support, the proceeds from the auction would go to Jack Harris Donaldson Memorial fund and Scholarship Foundation.

Donaldson, the 12-year old nephew of Dean and his wife Liz, was a tragic victim of the flash flooding in Vienna, Va. days prior to the start of the camp.

“Jack was a big and special part of our lives and always will be,” said Liz Whiston-Dean. “We are heartbroken and we miss him terribly. It means a lot to have the love, prayers and support of Jennie and her team, as well as our RU community.”

The auction, run by Rick Anderson, produced a final bid of $1100 that was made by Mike Stohon of Johnstown, Pa. Stohon, accompanied by his wife Michelle and daughters Sarah and Jennifer, enjoyed an evening of dinner and conversation at Applebee's in Radford.

“I would like to thank Jennie and the Olympians for auctioning off a dinner and donating the money in honor of Jack Harris Donaldson Memorial Fund,” added Mickey Dean. “It was amazing to hear the wonderful support for the Donaldson family from the softball community in such a time of need. Thank you from my family and the Donaldson family.”

With the success of the first three camps, Jennie Finch will return for a fourth in 2012.