There are few athletes in Stamford more popular or respected than Brittany Longo, the charismatic second baseman on Westhill High School’s softball team.
Almost everyone refers to Longo by her nickname, Bebe.
“I have no idea where it comes from,” Longo said with a laugh. “I’ve been called that since I was a baby and then my friends picked up on it. No one knows how it started.”
Lasell College in Newton, Mass., will soon have a Bebe on its roster. Longo announced this week that she will attend Lasell after also considering Philadelphia University.
“I just got a really comfortable, homey feeling when I visited there,” said Longo, who is one of the Vikings’ co-captains, a distinction she also had when she played on the school’s field hockey team in the fall. “It’s a completely different atmosphere from Philadelphia.”
Longo said there was another factor in her decision.
“My brother goes to Roger Williams in Rhode Island and I will only be 45 minutes away from him,” Longo said. “I’m a really big family person. Even though it will be only for a year, it will be nice to have him close by.”
Longo, who is the Vikings’ backup pitcher, a position she loves, said she has spoken with Tom DeFilippo, Lasell’s softball coach.
“He let me know he doesn’t judge you just because you are a freshman and he talked to my pitching coach,” Longo said. “He said they will give me a shot so I am definitely looking forward to it.”
Longo, who is also known for being very stylish, intends to major in fashion design.
I have gotten to know Longo well the past two years. She has volunteered for several of the charitable endeavors I am involved with.
Lasell is getting an outstanding athlete, and an even better person.
