Alexa Galligani has enjoyed tremendous success as a student-athlete and member of
the University of South Florida softball team. The team recently celebrated back-to-back American Athletic Conference Tournament championships, as well as its first regular-season title since 2019, with Galligani earning a spot
on the all-conference second team for her work in the outfield and a .329 batting
average. But Galligani wasn’t focused solely on putting up stats on the field — she
also dedicated herself to academic achievement, earning a perfect 4.0 GPA and graduating
from USF’s prestigious Judy Genshaft Honors College.
A member of USF’s College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, the criminology major balanced rigorous practices and game-day schedules with Honors
coursework and experiential learning opportunities, all while forming lasting friendships
and preparing for a career in law enforcement.
Not Afraid of a Challenge
Galligani grew up in a home familiar with athletic success. Her father, Marcel Galligani,
played professional baseball for the Oakland Athletics. She began playing baseball
at age 10 before transitioning to competitive softball in high school, drawn by the
sport’s team dynamic.
“I found the girls and camaraderie of softball to be fun, and I decided to pursue
it seriously,” Galligani said.
When she committed to USF’s softball team, she knew she wanted to invest equally in
academics and athletics — even if it meant personal sacrifices.
“It’s difficult to pursue collegiate athletics and maintain good academic standing.
There were definitely many weekends where I had to put my personal life aside,” she
said.
Despite her demanding schedule, Galligani said she wouldn’t trade the experience.
“I don’t think there are many things in this world like college athletics,” she said.
“You’re around the same group of girls every day for four years, and the sport is
a 24/7 commitment.”
She credits the experience with shaping her personal growth.
“It teaches you how to build strong connections, work through challenges, and navigate
situations you might not otherwise encounter,” she said.
Embracing Honors Education
Most courses at the Judy Genshaft Honors College are held in person, and at times,
Galligani’s athletic commitments created scheduling conflicts. As one of a small group
of Honors student-athletes, she worked with professors to keep up with coursework.
“There were definitely times where I couldn’t attend class because of athletics, but
my professors were very understanding,” she said. “Because Honors is very discussion-heavy,
we came up with alternative assignments.”
Galligani also appreciated being among the first students to take classes in the new Judy Genshaft Honors College building.
“It’s great to be part of something new and different at this university,” she said.
“I don’t think there are many things in this world like college athletics." – Alexa Galligani
She said one of the most valuable aspects of her Honors education was learning alongside
students from a wide range of majors.
“Honors has given me a broader perspective and allowed me to explore courses outside
criminology,” she said. “I’ve met so many students from different backgrounds, and
I’ve enjoyed learning from their perspectives.”
Her experiential learning requirement led her to a job-shadowing opportunity at the
Westchester County District Attorney’s Office in New York, where she discovered her
interests shifting.
“At the time, I planned to go to law school, but that experience showed me I’m more
drawn to the law enforcement side,” Galligani said.
The softball season isn’t over for the USF Bulls. The team will next head to the NCAA
Regional in Fayetteville, opening the tournament against the Washington Huskies on
Friday, May 15, on ESPNU at 8 p.m.
After graduation, Galligani plans to pursue a career in federal law enforcement and
has begun applying to local and federal agencies. Her Honors experience, combined
with the discipline gained as a college athlete, has more than prepared her for a
fulfilling career and the opportunity to make a positive impact.