NCSA caught up with baseball standout Mark Proust about his high school career and the opportunity to compete at the college level.
NCSA: What motivates you before a big game? What’s your pre-game ritural(s)?
Proust: I will usually listen to my ipod before a game. Most likely “Disturbed” because their music gets me in the mood to go out there and win. I usually hit off the tee for about 20 minutes then one or two rounds of BP in the cage, then I am done hitting until the game.
NCSA: What are you looking forward to if and when you get the opportunity to play on a collegiate level?
Proust: I just can’t wait for the experience and the level of competition. I know it will be harder work, but I can handle it. It will be fun to travel around to different colleges.
NCSA: Why did you get involved in the sports you played in?
Proust: When I was little, my dad got me into playing baseball. He used to play in high school and college and he got me started right away. I used to collect baseball cards, so Ken Griffey Jr. was the player I admired most.
NCSA: Tell us about your interactions with college coaches so far.
Proust: So far I have kept close contact with Coach Davis at Truman State University. We have talked through e-mail and I went there for a visit in June and threw for him. I also really like the University of Iowa. Most of my contacts have been with DII or DIII colleges, mostly through e-mail, but more recently by phone calls. It’s a long process.
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?
Proust: This past spring we were an average team, but in the summer we were one game away from the state tournament, so I am excited for next spring. I was in a bad car accident midway through my junior season so I had to sit out the second half and playoffs of spring. I wasn’t able to come back and play until mid June. Towards the end of the summer I started to get back to where I was and I think this fall I am doing very well. My quickness and arm strength are better than ever and my hitting has always been good. I am doing much better than previous years even though I have never really had a bad year.
NCSA: What are your goals?
Proust: Athletically I need to improve my arm strength to play at a good D1 university. I also want to get that much faster to help make the difference. I have a speed and agility trainer and so far I have seen great improvements in all elements of my game. During the winter I have hitting and pitching coaches I go to which help a lot. Academically I just want to keep my grades up. I am still taking tough courses so it will be a challenge but I can do it. I also joined a few clubs at school to help do some community service, such as making lunches for kids in Africa who don’t get enough nutrition each day or helping at the local shelter.
NCSA: Tell what you’ve learned since being with NCSA.
Proust: I have learned what to ask college coaches. I know that I can ask them almost anything without them being offended. I don’t really know that many rules about playing college, but I know it’s similar to high school. I learned that this is a long and hard process, but it will pay off in the end.
NCSA: What’s the biggest take-away you have from you experience here?
Proust: I would say having a recruiting coach who I can call and keep up to date on how I am doing. It is nice to know that I can ask them questions about the process and have a for-sure answer in return. It’s also nice having a profile and video sent out for me to help get me noticed. I think that it’s made that whole process a lot easier for me and my family.
