When NCSA offered Franklin Pierce University as a possible choice for Michele Adams’ son, Michael, she was not aware such a university even existed. After she learned the general details of the institution, her reaction was not positive. There was absolutely no way her son, a star high school pitcher from Orchard Park, New York, would ever fit in at Franklin Pierce.
She thought, “Oh my god! It’s smaller than his high school, an eight hour drive from home, and in the middle of nowhere.”
Presently Michael has completed his junior year pitching at Franklin Pierce University and will soon begin his final year at the school his mother now describes as “the most incredible fit.”
What exactly has made Michael’s experience at the school that could have easily been overlooked so very incredible? To begin with, aside from spending hours on the mound, his academic profile is quite impressive. Michael maintains a 3.1 GPA, is pursuing a major in Business Management and is set to graduate in four years.
Yet this scholar-athlete’s biggest accomplishments aren’t simply at balancing a rigorous course load with simply a spot on an NCAA Division II Team. Michael has had quite a track record pitching for the Franklin Pierce Ravens. Injury-free his entire career, Michael’s mother explains, “Mike pitches, he doesn’t throw.”
While his mother might be Michael’s biggest fan, she certainly is not his only fan. In fact, National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association has recently named Michael the 2008 Northeast Region Pitcher of the Year. This makes perfect sense as he maintains the #1 ERA nationally among NCAA Division II pitchers and maintains a #2 ranking in opponent batting average and strikeouts. Moreover the standout and true team player has led his team to the NCAA II World Series three years in a row.
Yet Michael’s journey to success wasn’t a simple one. Indeed, Michael began working with NCSA a full year and a half before graduating high school. NCSA and the Adams’ kept in constant communication over this time as they worked to find the right college match for Michael.
Initially, Michael wanted to play for an NCAA Division I team. After getting recruited from D-I teams without a winning record, he began to consider playing for a D-II team. NCSA helped Michael realized that pitching for a strong D-II team might be a better option than pitching at a losing D-I college or university.
After NCSA put Franklin Pierce University on Michael’s radar screen, Michael eventually began to seriously investigate the institution through online research and corresponding with the coaches. Impressed with the high caliber baseball team, Michael and his family eventually made the eight hour drive from Western New York State to New Hampshire. Weather-wise Michele Adams describe the visit as “a disaster; it was snowing and miserable.”
However, “Mike got to throw for the coach, and he absolutely fell in love with the school.”
Despite the weather, tiny size, remoteness, and several other obstacles Michael found a school that was right for him. Franklin Pierce University’s atmosphere has undoubtedly set Michael up to achieve great feats. Michael has certainly enjoyed his experience during college and has placed himself in a great position to achieve his ultimate goal of playing professional Major League Baseball.
“I can honestly tell you that Mike’s had the best time in college,” remarks Michele. The proud mother is often asked how they ever found Franklin Pierce University. Each time she smiles and responds, “Well, do you have ten minutes?”
