Personal Statement
There are several reasons as to why I want to pursue baseball, but I was originally inspired by my coach named Chuck Kersey, who ended up passing away my freshman year. He coached me when I first started playing at the age of 10. After coaching me for four years, I went to Westview to continue being coached by him. My passion for baseball only grew from there. It wasn’t until shortly after high school started when I got a phone call before school at 6 am September 7th, 2018. A father-like superhero coach had past away at the young age of 45. I ended up letting myself go physically and mentally in disbelief. My grades dropped drastically, and I let myself gain an immense amount of weight. It wasn’t until exactly one year later on the day of his death I had a dream I was eating dinner when he walked in. I was shocked, I said, “Coach how are you here right now?” He just sat down looked at me and said word for word, “Isaac, everything going to be alright. Everything will work out. Trust me.” He stood up walked out the door and I woke up. I still have no idea what happened, but it was huge wake up call.
Baseball helped revive me. I went from 225lbs in September 7th, 2019 to 170lbs in March, 2020 right before sophomore season. He taught me to have the killer instinct to win; I’m not playing just to play. I’m playing because it’s the game I love and appreciate. Coach Chuck has always said, “work hard, play hard”. He has left the sentiment in my life to always play as if it was my last game—to give my all. That is why I want to pursue baseball—for myself, my coach and the passion.
