NCSA caught up with Luke Gervasi to get his thoughts on his high school career and the possibility of playing in college.
NCSA: What motivates you before a big game? What's your pre-game ritual(s)?
Gervasi: Before a game, I like to listen to music on my i pod as I ride on the bus. I keep to myself and check out the scenery outside. I'm constantly setting goals for myself. This keeps me focused on things I'd like to see happen in the game. I'm motivated with a desire to win, not only for myself but also for my teammates. Competition is the best motivator.
NCSA: What are you looking forward to if and when you get the opportunity to play on a collegiate level?
Gervasi: I am looking forward to the whole college experience--the baseball competition, practices, and winning games. Also, making new friends, being challenged academically by taking classes in a major that interests me, and living on a college campus in a new area.
NCSA: Why did you get involved in the sports you played in? (Is it a family tradition, do you admire an athlete in the sport)?
Gervasi: I tried football and basketball and did enjoy both of those sports, but it was baseball that really hooked me. My dad was a baseball player from his childhood year and into college. He was one of my earliest coaches. He pitched too so he got me started as a pitcher. Today some of my best friends are the guys from those teams a long time ago or from the teams I played against. It's been a lot of fun.
NCSA: Tell us about your interactions with college coaches so far.
Gervasi: I've had the opportunity to meet and speak with coaches and to visit several campuses near my home. Junior Day invites are a great way to check out the school, meet the coaches and listen to them do a Q and A with the parents, tour the school, see what the dorms look like and then watch the game. In meeting the coaches, I've appreciated the
encouragement and advice.
NCSA: How are your team(s) doing so far? Any challenges this season? How are you excelling personally, how does that compare to previous years?
Gervasi: My high school team is Los Osos High School in Rancho Cucamonga. We are currently in first place in our league and we're hard at work on the Baseline League title that we won last year. Every game is a challenge because the entire team must play well in order to win. What's really interesting is the fact that the challenges are constantly changing from day to day and game to game. As a result,
everyone grows as a person and as a player.
NCSA: What are your goals - athletically, academically and in your community - for the rest of the school year? What are also your goals for the summer? Are you looking to improve your speed, skills, acing a course?
Gervasi: Athletically, I'd like to be consistent and do well in every game that I pitch. I want to help my team win as many games as possible. Academically, I'd like to do extremely well in each of my classes and score high on the SAT tests. I plan to donate some of my time to a community service effort, something either for elderly shut-ins or handicapped or challenged Little Leaguers.
NCSA: Tell us about what you've learned since being with NCSA. Have you learned about how to talk with coaches? Have you learned some rules on playing at the next level? What's the biggest take-away you have from your experience here?
Gervasi: I've learned a lot about the college baseball recruiting process with the help of knowledgeable recruiting coaches at NCSA. They have answered my questions and I know I'll be turning to them for advice in the future.
