Alexander (Alex) Di Dio '23 Recruiting Profile

During my 12U baseball season, I suffered a traumatic injury to my back and internal organs from a snowboarding accident.  I was placed in a back brace to allow my broken back to heal, and I was ordered to stop playing baseball, hockey, or doing anything physical (including running, carrying a backpack, etc.) until my back and internal organs healed.  I was devastated.  Not only was I in the middle of my hockey season, our winter work-outs for baseball were ramping up, and I was eager to get into the gym for the training.

Those months of no activity were some of the toughest months I had to endure. I had to sit on the sidelines while my hockey team played in the play-offs, and I had to watch my baseball friends and teammates train and play winter tournaments. All that time, I had to swallow my competitiveness and my anxiety about how and whether I would be able to compete at the same level as I had before the injury.

The first weeks back after getting my brace off were rough.  I was sore and out of shape, yet I wanted to go 100% at every practice. I had to learn to be patient and let my body continue to heal while getting my skills back.  My first few baseball games were some of the worst of my career, and I had to deal with that disappointment. But I also learned something about myself – that I am determined and resilient, and that perseverance and hard work pay off, as long as you are patient and listen to your body, your coaches, and your trainers (no matter how hard that might be!).

By the end of the season, I was back to my playing form and was selected by my coaches to represent my team in several skills competitions (including the Home Run Derby at Cooperstown).  I am very proud of that accomplishment, as I think it shows my dedication and devotion, as well as my leadership skills.  In fact, my hockey team also honored me with the leadership award that same year.

I carry that leadership to my academic pursuits as well.  I have won several academic awards (e.g., Excellence Award in AP Computer Science, Academic All-Conference for Varsity Basketball and Baseball, Presidential Academic Award, enhancement program for advanced students, honor roll all years of high school, NHS, Most Outstanding Effort in Social Studies (Freshman year), Most Outstanding Performance in Physical Education (Freshman Year)), and I am very interested in a future career in science.  Given these interests, I am hoping to play baseball at an academically challenging college during my undergraduate years.

Although I would never say that I was glad that I injured myself, my snowboarding injury was an incredible learning experience for me that I will carry with me for years to come. The lessons about perseverance, knowing yourself and your body, and learning how to turn disappointment into motivation will continue to shape who I am – both on and off the baseball field!