ORGANIZATIONAL SPOTLIGHT: BEVERLY BANDITS

Bill Conroy is the founder and program director of the Beverly Bandits and head coach of Beverly Bandits Premier-Conroy 18U. The Midwest-based Beverly Bandits have developed into one of the top club softball organizations in the country.

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LINE DRIVE SOFTBALL: What’s your athletics background and how did you get to the point of leading the team/organization?
BILL CONROY: The Beverly Bandits started back 30 years ago. I was a caddy at Beverly Country Club, then after getting the Chick Evans scholarship and going to both University of Illinois and Indiana University, graduating from IU with a double major, I eventually went back to Beverly Country Club as a member after winning the Beverly medley and the Beverly Pro. I quickly developed the nickname, “Billy the Bandit.”

I started helping coach youth sports when Little League came in and said we had to start (a) girls program or possibly lose our Little League charter, so I volunteered to coach at 10U, 12U and 14U. We played the entire season and no one in the league ever pitched windmill-style — everyone pitched slingshot — and was fortunate enough to win at all three age levels, so I got to pick the All-Star teams. When I arrived at the All-Star game, I saw the team playing and the girl was pitching windmill-style and I asked (the) umpire if that was legal. He laughed at me and said she’s not crow-hopping, which I had no idea what that meant, but I did know we were in trouble.

After we were quickly dismissed at all three levels, I made a commitment to the league to end up having all the kids that were interested to get pitching lessons on my dime. Two years later, our All-Star team ended up winning the Disney extravaganza at ESPN in Orlando. From there, we turned into a travel team known as the Beverly Bandits.

LD SOFTBALL: When did the team/program start and how/why did it come to be?
BC: The Beverly Bandits started as start-up recreation program in 1995 and became a travel team in 1999 after winning the ESPN/Disney Extravaganza in Orlando. At the time, it was a stand-alone All-Star team with a group of talented athletes from the Beverly area and nearby SW suburbs of Chicago.

LD SOFTBALL: What was the purpose of creating the team?
BC: The purpose and goals of the Beverly Bandits has evolved over the years from being a small-local fully self-funded team, to 17 teams ranging from 9U to 18U primarily based in the Midwest with one quality team operating out of So Cal. Initially, the Beverly Bandits was created to provide a venue for some quality, high-level athletes to compete against more established teams and create opportunities for these young ladies. The mission has grown to creating an environment of social, emotional and physical development for these young ladies. We kick off each season with Empowering Girls for Life, with amazing speakers such as this year’s NiJaree Canady, Jordy Bahl, Karen Weekly, Ellie Cooper and Joey Lye. The Beverly Bandits provides an environment to build a players confidence on and off the field, to empower these young ladies to have continued success on and off the field. The program is built on dedication, sportsmanship, work ethics and most importantly, having fun!

LD SOFTBALL: What have been some of your successes in terms of winning or placing at events?
BC: The Beverly Bandits has (had) its share of success with 11 national championships, including seven PGF national championships, two ASA/USA Gold national championships and one Triple Crown national championship and one AFA national championship. The Beverly Bandits have also won the prestigious IDT tournament 10 times. More importantly, the Beverly Bandits have helped provide a competitive platform for 516 young ladies to attain D1 scholarships.

As far as key moments, there have been so many, but winning both 16U and 18U IDT in 2015 as well as winning both 16U and 18U PGF in 2017 are moments that have helped establish the Beverly Bandits.

LD SOFTBALL: Can you talk about some of the past Beverly Bandits alums?
BC: So many great ones such as Jenna Lilley, Taran Alvelo, Miranda Elish, Sarah and Lora Olson, Theresa Boruta and many more, but if I had to pick one young lady, Alexis Holloway, would be my choice. What she did on and off the field and continues to do in her current life, truly a great young lady and great Bandit among many great Bandits!