Oklahoma State University Athletics
Macy Graf's Journey as a Softball Athlete and Entrepreneur
January 05, 2024 | Cowgirl Softball
Macy Graf has always been a talented athlete, playing multiple sports in high school ranging from basketball and competitive bass fishing to softball.Â
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However, once she had to decide what she was going to continue playing collegiately, the choice was simple. It was always going to be softball.Â
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Like most college athletes, Graf has a very demanding schedule, both athletically and academically. What separates Graf, however, is that she also dedicates time to her own apparel company, Shady Cowboy, which she launched prior to coming to college.Â
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"It's mainly in-store at our family knife store, the House of Blades, but occasionally during the winter seasons, I'll do an online sale," Graf said. "That way I can ship them, but it's mainly for the locals there because I'm busy with school and softball. I don't want to overload my schedule with school, softball, and a business, social life and friends."Â
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The idea that sparked Shady Cowboy came during a conversation with her father and since then, it has grown into a local success. The brand primarily sells hats, shirts, and sweatshirts.
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As the founder, Graf comes up with the designs for the shirts and hats with some help from her father, and she manages Shady Cowboy's social media presence. While balancing her company with school and softball can be challenging, she is determined to keep it going and has plans to expand its reach in the future.
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"Post-graduation, maybe this summer, I'm going to go to some boutiques locally and try to get them to sell it or put it in their store," Graf said. "Right now, with transferring to a new school and trying to get used to the new academic ways of the classes here, it's just a lot."
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As she hinted, Graf played her freshman season at Mississippi State before transferring to Oklahoma State.Â
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In her freshman season with the Bulldogs, Graf featured in 40 games, starting 30, primarily at third base. She batted .291 with a .450 on base percentage. She made an immediate impact for MSU as she reached base in the first 17 games of her career and opened SEC play with a 10-game on-base streak. However, after one year, she decided it was time for a new challenge and Oklahoma State immediately came to mind for her.
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"What stood out to me the most (about OSU) was the coaching staff, I grew up going to a lot of their camps since I was young," Graf said. "I've always loved the coaching staff and it helped to have a handful of girls that I've played with in the past be on the team currently."
Adapting to a new environment can be scary at times when you are forced out of your comfort zone. For Graf, she seems to have adjusted to Stillwater with the help of some old friends.Â
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Graf played travel ball with current teammates Tia Warsop, Haidyn Sokoloski, Micaela Wark and Audrey Schneidmiller. The quartet helped communicate to her their positive experiences at OSU and the unique culture that OSU softball holds, which was a big part in getting Graf to Stillwater.Â
Â
"There are a lot of girls I've played with in the past (on the team)," Graf explained. "A lot of my high school friends go here for just normal school and Greek life, so I have my softball friends and I have my old school friends. If I want to stay in the sports world I can, if I want to just get an escape from softball, I can go hang out with my other friends."
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One bond stronger than friendship is family, and Graf's parents were a huge part of her journey to Stillwater.Â
 Â
Initially, Graf was indecisive on entering the transfer portal because she was nervous about not knowing what the future could hold. She went straight to her father for guidance, and after talking to him, she decided to enter the portal and found her new home in Stillwater.
Â
"They love softball and wherever I were to be at, if I was across the country, they would still be at every game," Graf said.Â
Â
With the season just around the corner, Graf is excited for what is to come.Â
Â
"I'm looking forward to competing and enjoying the game again with these girls that I've played with in the past and the girls that I've come close with over this past season." Graf said.
Â
Â
However, once she had to decide what she was going to continue playing collegiately, the choice was simple. It was always going to be softball.Â
Â
Like most college athletes, Graf has a very demanding schedule, both athletically and academically. What separates Graf, however, is that she also dedicates time to her own apparel company, Shady Cowboy, which she launched prior to coming to college.Â
Â
"It's mainly in-store at our family knife store, the House of Blades, but occasionally during the winter seasons, I'll do an online sale," Graf said. "That way I can ship them, but it's mainly for the locals there because I'm busy with school and softball. I don't want to overload my schedule with school, softball, and a business, social life and friends."Â
Â
The idea that sparked Shady Cowboy came during a conversation with her father and since then, it has grown into a local success. The brand primarily sells hats, shirts, and sweatshirts.
Â
As the founder, Graf comes up with the designs for the shirts and hats with some help from her father, and she manages Shady Cowboy's social media presence. While balancing her company with school and softball can be challenging, she is determined to keep it going and has plans to expand its reach in the future.
Â
"Post-graduation, maybe this summer, I'm going to go to some boutiques locally and try to get them to sell it or put it in their store," Graf said. "Right now, with transferring to a new school and trying to get used to the new academic ways of the classes here, it's just a lot."
Â
As she hinted, Graf played her freshman season at Mississippi State before transferring to Oklahoma State.Â
Â
In her freshman season with the Bulldogs, Graf featured in 40 games, starting 30, primarily at third base. She batted .291 with a .450 on base percentage. She made an immediate impact for MSU as she reached base in the first 17 games of her career and opened SEC play with a 10-game on-base streak. However, after one year, she decided it was time for a new challenge and Oklahoma State immediately came to mind for her.
Â
"What stood out to me the most (about OSU) was the coaching staff, I grew up going to a lot of their camps since I was young," Graf said. "I've always loved the coaching staff and it helped to have a handful of girls that I've played with in the past be on the team currently."
Adapting to a new environment can be scary at times when you are forced out of your comfort zone. For Graf, she seems to have adjusted to Stillwater with the help of some old friends.Â
Â
Graf played travel ball with current teammates Tia Warsop, Haidyn Sokoloski, Micaela Wark and Audrey Schneidmiller. The quartet helped communicate to her their positive experiences at OSU and the unique culture that OSU softball holds, which was a big part in getting Graf to Stillwater.Â
Â
"There are a lot of girls I've played with in the past (on the team)," Graf explained. "A lot of my high school friends go here for just normal school and Greek life, so I have my softball friends and I have my old school friends. If I want to stay in the sports world I can, if I want to just get an escape from softball, I can go hang out with my other friends."
Â
One bond stronger than friendship is family, and Graf's parents were a huge part of her journey to Stillwater.Â
 Â
Initially, Graf was indecisive on entering the transfer portal because she was nervous about not knowing what the future could hold. She went straight to her father for guidance, and after talking to him, she decided to enter the portal and found her new home in Stillwater.
Â
"They love softball and wherever I were to be at, if I was across the country, they would still be at every game," Graf said.Â
Â
With the season just around the corner, Graf is excited for what is to come.Â
Â
"I'm looking forward to competing and enjoying the game again with these girls that I've played with in the past and the girls that I've come close with over this past season." Graf said.
Â
Players Mentioned
UTL
/ Cowgirl Softball
C
/ Cowgirl Softball
OF
/ Cowgirl Softball
IF
/ Cowgirl Softball
OF
/ Cowgirl SoftballFriday, June 05
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