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For Meika Lauppe, home is where Sun Devil Softball is

Sun Devil Softball pitcher Meika Lauppe found new family and support systems in Tempe, but she also brought her home to Farrington Stadium, where family, teammates, coaches and community show up to support her.

For Meika Lauppe, home is where Sun Devil Softball isFor Meika Lauppe, home is where Sun Devil Softball is
Sun Devil Athletics
by Meredith Cunningham

If home is where the heart is, the house often lands at Alberta B. Farrington Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. 

Not only do Sun Devil Softball players get to live out their childhood dreams of playing college softball, but it also provides everything else a player could want and more: great weather, a superior support system and a new family of lifelong friends. 

At least, that’s true for theSun Devil's fourth-year senior pitcher Meika Lauppe.

“Coming to ASU was a little scary at first because it’s so massive," Lauppe said. "But I’ve found that same sense of family here within athletics. Now, sometimes it’s hard to leave here and go home, because I have so many families here.”

The good news is that her small, tight-knit hometown of East Nicolaus, California often surrounds her in Tempe. So, she doesn’t have to go far to be reminded of her strong support system. 

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Within that support system is Tiffany Mallow. Her son, affectionately known as “Taco,” was one of Lauppe’s best friends growing up. The pair were even part of the same high school graduating class. 

“We had 300 kids in my high school, and our parents all went to school together," Lauppe said. "Even some of our grandparents went to school together, so it was a super tight-knit community." 

Back in East Nicolaus, everyone knows everyone, and everyone supports one another, so the “it takes a village” mantra rings true. In the town, if someone couldn’t get their child to a practice, another parent stepped in. If a family missed a game, someone else filled the gap.

Mallow continues to fill that gap for Lauppe’s parents to this day. 

Mallow and her family recently moved to the Valley to be closer to her older children in the military. Mallow and Lauppe kept in touch through social media, and as softball season approached, Mallow continued her tradition of watching Lauppe’s games in high school and into college. 

“It’s been amazing to have Tiffany out here,” Lauppe said with a smile. “To have that support from home from someone that I know, a special familiar face in the stands, it has been incredible. She went to all my softball games in high school, and now she’s at all my games here, where you don’t always have family at every game.” 

Mallow echoes the sentiment.

“Even though she’s not my daughter, showing up for her games is huge. Kids need support from more than just their parents, and it’s amazing to see that she has it from family, friends, and the team.”

For Mallow, showing up is personal. She grew up without sports. She wasn’t allowed to play. So now, she pours that energy into others. Watching college athletes compete, struggle, grow and chase dreams fills a space she once didn’t get to explore.

“That’s why I show up,” she said.

“Just knowing someone’s in the stands matters. I understand these youngsters need support from other people, not just their own parents. Sometimes they hear a friend’s mom louder than their own.”

Tiffany Mallow

Don’t be mistaken, though. Mom, Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, aunts, uncles, and cousins also all show up to show their support for their Sun Devil. 

“My grandparents rent a house for the first five weeks of the season so they can be here for home games. Then, every week, we have a new group of family and friends from back home coming to watch,” Meika said.

As a bonus, the friends and family who visit Farrington Stadium make friends of their own, attending Mike Windle’s infamous tailgates, the father of senior outfielder Tanya Windle.  

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The collection of events is a gesture that reflects the enduring passion and commitment of her hometown, where sports were always a community affair.

Then there’s the support of her coaches and the school. 

“I definitely feel like I am in another family now between academics and athletics and that’s been incredible,” Lauppe said.  

“I can talk to my coaches about anything. My academic coach, my nutritionist, my strength and conditioning coach, our athletic trainer, they’re all here for me, and that’s not even mentioning my teammates. Even to have an athletic director like Graham Rossini, who is so present and always around, it’s just so amazing. You can’t beat it."

With the love and support from teammates, family, friends, and the school itself, there’s more than one reason Sun Devil Softball thinks this season could be big. 

“It’s going to be an exciting year for Sun Devil Softball. I think there are some really good things coming, and maybe we’ll shock some people."

Meika Lauppe

“Let’s continue to 'Activate the Valley.' We’ve been doing an incredible job of it in all sports this year, and I think we should continue the tradition,” said Lauppe. 

At Arizona State, Meika Lauppe’s circle includes parents, grandparents, teammates, and coaches. Somewhere in the middle of it all sits Tiffany Mallow as proof that in Sun Devil Softball, family isn’t defined by blood.

Sun Devil Nation is defined by who shows up.