The University of Virginia’s softball team is not just making strides on the field; its players are achieving remarkable feats off the field as well. As graduation ceremonies unfold, two standout athletes are preparing for a different kind of celebration involving bats and bases instead of caps and gowns.
As the Cavaliers head to the NCAA Tournament in Columbia, South Carolina, Eden Bigham and Jade Hylton are marking a significant milestone — graduating from UVA in just three years. This weekend, they will take on the University of North Florida, with Bigham on the pitcher’s mound and Hylton covering shortstop. Both have been pivotal to the team’s success, earning first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors twice. Bigham etched her name in history by pitching the first perfect game for the Cavaliers in three decades on March 1. Following that, Hylton broke the program’s all-time home run record in April.
Coach Joanna Hardin commended their exceptional abilities, saying, “They’re so well-rounded. They can literally do it all.” It’s no surprise that Bigham and Hylton are also excelling academically. These third-year students have been completing their degrees while making significant contributions to the team.
Both players hail from Southside Virginia, just 70 miles apart. Bigham, from Rustburg, and Hylton, from Martinsville, joined UVA in the fall of 2022 as top recruits, already holding associate degrees from their local community colleges. “We actually walked at our community college graduation before we walked at our high school graduation,” Bigham recalled.
The decision to attend UVA was influenced by Coach Hardin’s philosophy, which resonated with both players. “Coming here is a 40-year decision, and not just four years,” Bigham stated, who is majoring in cognitive science with plans to pursue dentistry. Hylton, majoring in kinesiology, aims to become a radiation therapist, inspired by her late mother’s battle with kidney cancer.
“I know that graduating with a degree here gives me an advantage over other people graduating from other places,” Hylton said. “So being able to do that and also doing well in the softball program, it’s been a blessing.”
Both Bigham and Hylton, who consistently appear on the ACC’s Academic Honor Roll, intend to return for their fourth year of eligibility to continue playing softball and further their studies. They will also share living quarters, a fitting arrangement for best friends who have been teammates since age 14.
Bigham expressed her confidence in Hylton’s abilities, saying, “When she’s up to bat, I always feel a sense of comfort.” Meanwhile, Hylton reciprocated, “Even when I was younger, anytime I saw Eden on the mound, I was like, ‘Oh boy, here we go.’” Their mutual admiration and support have been longstanding, originating from their travel ball days.
Of the 4,655 students graduating from UVA this weekend, Bigham and Hylton are among the elite 256 who have completed their degrees in three years or less. Their teammate, M.C. Eaton, is another exemplary student-athlete who has achieved this feat.
Ryan Moody, UVA’s assistant director of academic services for the softball team, praised their dedication: “It’s incredible to see those types of students and those types of athletes go above and beyond to make sure they’re successful.” He noted the extra effort they put into both their athletic and academic commitments, serving as an inspiration for their teammates.
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