By Vaughn R. Wilson
Amber Fullwood, a standout in the storied history of Florida A&M University softball, is receiving a major league honor from her hometown team. The Tampa Bay Rays will celebrate Fullwood on August 22 during their “FAMU Night with the Rays” game, where she will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
The celebration comes ahead of Fullwood’s formal induction into the FAMU Sports Hall of Fame this September. Her career at FAMU was marked by historic achievements, most notably helping lead the Rattlers to four consecutive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championships—something no other team in FAMU softball history had accomplished.
“I was on vacation and was shocked when I got the call that I had been voted into the FAMU Sports Hall of Fame,” Fullwood said. “My initial reaction was shock. I was honored and excited. This means the world to me. More than the recognition, the hard work, the sacrifices, late nights, the greatness that coach (Veronica) Wiggins put into us, to celebrate that with some of the best players to ever come through FAMU is truly humbling to me.
Due to damage at Tropicana Field from Hurricane Milton, the Rays are currently playing home games at George Steinbrenner Field, the New York Yankees’ spring training facility in Tampa. The August 22 game will feature a special FAMU promotion, with designated sections (215–217) reserved for Rattler fans. Each ticket purchased in those sections includes a limited-edition corduroy FAMU baseball hat.
As part of the evening, Fullwood requested that her former teammates be allowed to join her on the field before the game. The Rays agreed.
“Obviously there’s only one first pitch and I’ll be doing that alone, but I wanted my teammates who lived close to join in the celebration with me,” said Fullwood.
A native of Tampa, Fullwood was a member of legendary coach Veronica Wiggins’ program and left an indelible mark during her four-year collegiate career. She earned MEAC Freshman of the Year honors in 2014, was named First Team All-MEAC three times, and collected several individual accolades, including team MVP her senior year.
She entered FAMU in 2013 as part of a remarkable six-player recruiting class. Together, they won four straight MEAC titles, made four NCAA Regional appearances, received multiple All-MEAC and All-MEAC Academic Team honors, and—most impressively—graduated together in four years. At their commencement, the group was recognized by FAMU President Dr. Larry Robinson for their combined athletic and academic success. They remain the only six athletes in FAMU history to achieve such a feat.
Fullwood also holds multiple top-10 placements in FAMU’s all-time softball statistics. Highlights of her career include:
Total hits leader in 2014 (47)
Total at-bats leader in 2014 (189)
Doubles leader in 2014 (10) and 2017 (12)
RBI leader in 2016 (30) and 2017 (31)
Ranked No. 6 in FAMU history in career RBIs (110)
Beyond the diamond, Fullwood has been active in her community. As a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., she has participated in numerous service projects, while also working through church organizations to make a positive local impact.
The Rays will face the St. Louis Cardinals on August 22 at 7:35 p.m. Fans are encouraged to arrive by 7 p.m., to see Fullwood throw out the first pitch. To join the FAMU section and receive a complimentary FAMU corduroy cap, tickets must be purchased through Rays representative Heather Turner at (727) 387-6879 or via the following link: 2025 FAMU Night Tickets. Use code: 2025FAMU at checkout.
