Sam Briehn '18 Recruiting Profile

     The famous English writer and philosopher, Aldous Leonard Huxley once said, “Experience is not what happens to a man.  It is what a man does with what happens to him.” Tragedy can either destroy hopes and dreams, or make one more determined to be successful.   I had to make that choice following an injury during my eighth grade year of junior high school. 

      As long as I can remember, I have loved baseball.  I was raised going to the baseball field watching my older brother play for a local travel ball team.  As soon as I was old enough to participate through our local park and recreation, I joined a host of other four year olds on the t-ball field.   Even at an early age, baseball was more of a science to me than a sport.  I was intent on becoming a “student of the game.”

     During my eighth grade year,  I was preparing to try out as a pitcher for the high school baseball team and injured my arm.    The thought of not being able to play was devastating.  Realizing that the injury was serious, my parents took me to a specialist in Birmingham, Dr. Lyle Cain, at the renowned Andrews Sports Clinic.  Dr. Cain expressed  concern and did many tests to assess the damage to my arm.   Luckily, the injury did not require surgery; however, he insisted that I cease any type of physical activity for six months.   Afterward, I would need to begin an extensive rehab program to regain the ability to throw again.  

     I was determined not to give up.   After resting  my arm for the prescribed six month period, I  started Dr. Cain’s throwing program.  With the assistance of my pitching coach,  Former MLB pitcher Steve Woodard, the long, hard process of rehabilitation began.   The rehabilitation of my arm required patience and perseverance to overcome the injury.  I was determined to regain my ability to throw.   It would have been easy to give up many times.   The rehab program was hard, hot, frustrating work.  Finally, after the prescribed rest and months of strenuous rehab,  I successfully returned to the baseball field as a member of the varsity baseball team at West Point High School in Cullman,  Alabama. 

     After suffering through months of heartbreak and frustration, I realized that my work had resulted in more than just regaining my ability to throw.   I had overcome extreme obstacles to be able to pitch again.   I had to search deep within myself for the strength to meet the challenges that rehabilitation presented.   I did overcome.  As a result, I gained a new confidence in my abilities, both mental and physical, to face any obstacle set before me. I am now confident that I have both the determination and ability to accomplish my goals.