Senior Spotlight: Alexis Ferreira, a legacy beyond the diamond
By: Fernando Bossoes
Humber Athletics Communications
As Alexis Ferreira wraps up her five-year career as a softball player for the Humber Hawks - a journey filled with accolades, medals and recognition - Ferreira takes pride in overcoming personal challenges, growing both as a player and an individual and understanding the profound meaning of wearing the Humber jersey.
Softball, for Ferreira, transcends the diamond; it's a part of her identity. Her parents played the sport, which has always run in her blood. However, the little girl who started playing house league softball at the age of ten did not always believe in her potential.
Ferreira says her parents always believed in her more than herself, motivating her to commit more seriously to the sport. By going to the facility when no one else was there and having her parents throw her some balls or just going by herself, Ferreira's work ethic started to crystalize.
"They helped push me to be a better version of myself and allowed me to evolve in that sense of responsibility and ownership. They've been my rocks throughout my entire life. I wouldn't be half the person I am right now if I didn't have them," Ferreira said.
Transitioning to her second rep team marked a pivotal moment in the early stages of her career, as she became a team captain. Ferreira recalled being a player who followed anything her coaches would tell her to do, struggling to find her voice and express her emotions to teammates. Former coach Clifton Dockery emerged to guide her through these challenges.
Dockery led Ferreira to be a leader; she started speaking up for herself and her teammates and understanding what was happening in practice.
"One of the first things he told me when I joined his team was, 'I'm going to hate you by the time you leave because you are going to ask me question after question, but I'm going to love it because that's what I want you to do.' It was beneficial going from one extreme to the other," Ferreira said.
Growing up as a player not only made Ferreira understand the sport more but also helped her comprehend that athletes are people and there is a great responsibility to develop them into who they will become when they leave.
As Ferreira's high school years were ending, it was time for the post-secondary world. Humber stood out as the preferred choice of the Mississauga-born player, driven by its academic excellence and the prestige of the athletic program.
What may surprise some is that Ferreira, now recognized as one of the nation's best third basemen, initially came to Humber with aspirations of being a catcher.
Ferreira said she had been a catcher her entire life, but Humber softball head coach Duaine Bowles approached her and said she would no longer play in that position. Bowles was not implying that Ferreira lacked skill as a catcher. Instead, he believed she had the potential to excel even more in a different role.
Transitioning between second base and shortstop during her rookie campaign, Coach Bowles asked Ferreira to transition to third base during the off-season despite her lack of consistent experience at the hot corner.
Ferreira described that off-season as "crazy." They worked together after regular hours in the Humber gym with the goal of feeling more comfortable playing third base.
"About halfway through [the off-season], he [Bowles] was like, 'Do you know you are going to be the best third baseman in the country? Do you realize that?'," Ferreira said.
This was a life-changing moment for Ferreira. She mentioned recalling how her parents also believed in her back in the early stages of her time playing house league. If people believed in her that much, it was up to her to start to think she was good enough for it.
"You plant the seed in my brain, and it grows into a tree. I am not going to rest until it's done. Hearing Duaine say that was a push in the right direction," Ferreira added.
The rest is history. Three OCAA (Ontario Colleges Athletic Association) all-star selections, two CCSA (Canadian Collegiate Softball Association) all-tournament honours, three OCAA bronze medals, one OCAA provincial champion, and one CCSA national bronze medal, to name a few. But, for Ferreira, beyond accolades, medals and recognition, how people will remember her as a person, teammate, and player holds greater importance.
She values the possibility of being someone others can look up to; someone kids could sit down and use as an inspiration for their dreams when they grow up.
"It's so important to help push the next generation of whatever sport you are in."
Over Ferreira's five years wearing the "H" on her chest, it meant much more than just a jersey to her. She said it was a true honour and privilege, emphasizing that it is more than just a piece of clothing.
Ferreira highlights the importance of representation and strongly emphasizes the Hawks family. She said that countless people have worn the jersey before her. Regardless of their stay or success on the field, for her, playing for Humber Softball is a tribute to those who contributed to the program's success.
She elaborated on how the softball team consistently talked about playing for those who paved the way for them. Ferreira detailed how Humber Softball alumnae actively attend their games despite having established careers and personal lives. Some even make considerable journeys to support the team, driven by their belief in the program's success and the desire to witness it.
Ferreira recalled the unique feeling of winning the provincial championship in 2019. While the victory was undoubtedly incredible, she highlighted the extraordinary moment when alumnae Aaliyah Davidson, Hilary Redrup and Elisa Gregoris joined them on the field to share in the celebration.
"They didn't play the game, weren't on the roster, yet had the same excitement as if they were on the team. There was the love, there was the cheer. It was a real feeling of pure love," Ferreira said.
She also emphasized how Humber student-athletes play for the school's reputation. They represent the Director of Athletics and Recreation, Ray Chateau, Associate Director of Athletics and Recreation, Michael Kopinak and everybody in the athletics office.
"There's probably a bunch of people I don't even know their names, but I don't need to know their names. Everything I'm doing now is also for you," Ferreira says.
Even though her years of playing are over, she is not worried about the program's future. She is highly confident in the current players and believes in their abilities to bring it forward.
"I think no better group could be doing it," Ferreira continued. "To feel so at peace and so content with the people who can now bring it to the next step and lead the program is really exciting."
For six years, Alexis Ferreira devoted her life to Humber College, overcoming personal obstacles, having a big influence on her teammates and truly honouring and representing what it genuinely means to be a Humber student-athlete.
Ferreira went on to say her future looks exciting. The next big thing on her list is going to Europe in the summer. She signed with North Fast Pitch and will represent Canada, a squad comprised of some of the nation's top university and college players. After that, she intends to explore potential opportunities that may arise. However, Ferreira also emphasized taking some time to look at herself – softball has been part of her life for so long that she also wants to discover more about Alexis Ferreira beyond the world of the sport.
As number two signs off, the most significant thing she wants people to know is not to be scared of the unknown because she was once, for a very long time.
"There's all these what ifs, but at the end of the day, they are only what ifs. If you stay in a little bubble of being comfortable, you'll miss out on many life experiences and opportunities. Finding people who genuinely make you feel heard, valued and loved will make you realize it's okay. Sometimes, take a risk or do something uncomfortable to find them. Once you're okay with that and trusting your instincts, you'll find a lot of peace. You'll feel content and you'll be able to feel at home."
