One of the top performers on the Tennessee softball team has announced her transfer destination, as former Lady Vols catcher Ally Shipman is headed to SEC rival Alabama.
Shipman entered the transfer portal on June 24. That was also the same day that co-head coach Ralph Weekly also announced that he was stepping down from his position.
And now, one of Tennessee’s best athletes on a particular team is headed to the Crimson Tide for a second time this year.
I am so excited to announce that I will be continuing my academic and athletic career at The University of Alabama! Thank you to the coaches and staff at Alabama for this amazing opportunity! Can’t wait to get to work! #RollTide pic.twitter.com/HIusuwqICC
— Ally Shipman (@ally_shipman) July 7, 2021
New legislation was passed in 2021 that allowed all college athletes the ability to transfer one time without any sort of penalty. That also paved the way for the SEC to grant their athletes the ability to transfer within the conference and still retain their immediate eligibility.
The Tennessee athletics department has certainly had its ups and downs with the new rule. On one hand, they have been able to bring in great players to the University. For instance, basketball star Justin Powell transferred from Auburn to Tennessee earlier this year.
But on the other hand, players like Shipman or Henry To’o To’o will be able to suit up for Tennessee’s rival immediately.
The California native finished her junior year at Tennessee with a .304 batting average. That average ranked fifth on the team. She also ended the 2021 season with 48 hits and 39 RBIs.
When Shipman announced that she would be transferring away from Tennessee, she took to Twitter to announce her decision.
“First off, I’d like to thank Ralph and Karen (Weekly) for the opportunity to be a Lady Vol,” Shipman wrote in a message posted to Twitter on June 24. “This University, this program, and this fan base will always hold a special place in my heart.”
Ally Shipman will have her first chance to return to Knoxville when Tennessee takes on Alabama in 2022.
