Softball Star & Scholar
Fast Feet, Sharp Mind, Big Goals
Olivia “Oli” Black’s journey to FGCU was driven by two passions: softball and forensic science. Raised on a ranch in Fort Pierce, she developed discipline through 4-H and a love for sports with her dad as her first coach. Her softball talent earned her Division I attention, but FGCU’s forensic studies program sealed the deal.
Black impressed FGCU’s former softball coach David “DD” Deiros with her speed and instincts on the field — and her character off it. She graduated in just five semesters with a 4.0 GPA and now pursues a master’s in forensic studies, making her the youngest graduate student in the program.
While balancing academics, athletics and internships, Black has set records in stolen bases and earned multiple academic honors. In 2025, she broke FGCU’s single-season stolen base record and led in slugging percentage, runs scored and triples.
She also serves as president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, leading initiatives for her peers. As she enters her final year of eligibility, Black continues to set the pace — in the classroom, on the field and in her future career.