Emma Krueger thought her collegiate softball career was over in 2024. After medically retiring from NJCAA Division II Rock Valley College due to a series of injuries and illnesses, she had accepted that her time on the diamond was done. But as it turns out, her story was just beginning—and it's one that every athlete, especially those who have faced setbacks, can draw inspiration from.

Krueger's journey took a tough turn before her freshman year in 2023, when a torn labrum—suffered during a slide into second base in the team's final preparations—sidelined her for the entire season. After six or seven months of recovery post-surgery, she bounced back in a big way in 2024. At the plate, she crushed it with a .364 batting average, eight home runs, 34 RBIs, and 36 runs. She also made history as the first player in program history to win a Gold Glove for her stellar work at first base. With that momentum, she was set for an NCAA Division I opportunity at Northern Illinois University.

But just as things were looking up, stomach issues began plaguing Krueger toward the end of the 2024 campaign. The problems were serious enough to land her in the hospital and eventually lead to the removal of her gallbladder. She never made it to NIU. Her body had given out, and she decided it was time to call it a career.

Or so she thought. Krueger returned home to attend the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay for academics, but the pull of being part of a team was hard to shake. Rock Valley coach Darin Monroe reached out to UWGB coach Sara Kubuske, suggesting Krueger join the Phoenix as a team manager. Kubuske already knew of Krueger—she had been interested in recruiting her before NIU, but UWGB didn't have an open spot at the time. When Monroe asked about the manager role, Kubuske set up a meeting that same week.

"The minute you meet Emma and you talk to her, her passion for the game really shines through," Kubuske said. "Why wouldn't I want help? We are just a two-man show, so it was beneficial."

Krueger was thrilled for the chance to stay involved—and to keep wearing a uniform, even if her role had changed. For any athlete who has faced injuries, illnesses, or the tough decision to step away, Krueger's story is a powerful reminder: sometimes the end of one chapter is just the start of another. And whether you're playing or supporting from the dugout, the love of the game never really fades.