Personal Statement
I am a strong leader who believes one must lead by example. I am the first one to cheer teammates on or bring them up when they are down. I train at an elite level, often over 20 hours a week, under the guidance of the best coaches in the country, many who are former MLB players. These coaches have taught me the value of character; and, to succeed at the highest level, an athlete must have the strength to take the higher road. Hard work and persistent effort bring success on and off the field; and I have demonstrated a work ethic second to none, often sacrificing social opportunities to achieve my goals. Once or twice a month I fly to Texas to train with top pitching coaches, earning me the opportunity to play on some of the top traveling teams in the country: the Fort Worth Cats, the Minnesota Blizzard, the Northwest Elite, the USSSA National team and Team Northwest. I have had success both as a position player/batter and a pitcher. The Fort Worth Cats placed fifth at Nationals, where I led the team in striking batters out last summer and played at first base. As a batter at the WWBA Perfect Game National Championships this summer I was ranked at 180 out of 8317 players by Perfect Game, the leading batter for the Fort Worth Cats. While playing for the USSSA National team in Italy, I received the " Best Pitcher" award in international competition.
As a student athlete, the academic part of life demands the same commitment to excellence as my baseball training. I attend a private military academy, whose rigorous standards and expectations result in 100% of graduating class members attending top colleges. As a sophomore, I enrolled in upper-level classes such as Honors Chemistry and fourth year Honors Manderin. While managing this academic commitment, I played quarterback on the 10th grade, JV, and Varsity football teams. Currently as a senior, my class schedule reflects honors and AP classes and similar to my sophomore and junior years, I continue to play on traveling baseball teams and train monthly in Texas while playing as a JV and varsity quarterback. In addition I train weekly with a former MLB player to fine tune my hitting and fielding skills.
Reviewing films and lifting every morning, for varsity football, playing on traveling baseball teams, and training trips to Texas have meant becoming a master at schedules, time management and efficiency. Each area of my life is very demanding, but I strive for excellence in each of them. Maintaining personal integrity is necessary for success. It is not just about raw talent. I learned that lesson from my documentary film I produced for an assignment. I chose Jackie Robinson as my subject and I was able to interview Roosevelt Jackson, the oldest living Negro League player; Wayne Terwilliger, a teammate of Jackie's; Ron Robinowitz, Jackie's pen pal and others, during my research on breaking the color barrier in MLB. What I learned went far beyond batting averages and statistics as measures of success; it was a life lesson on the definition of personal and professional integrity, commitment and courage
I believe the support of your family and friends, and a strong faith in God and yourself can overcome any obstacles to success. Since I was a young boy I've been surrounded by successful athletes and students who have mentored me. I have two uncles who played baseball for Notre Dame, one going on to compete as a MLB player for the Texas Rangers and the Giants. The list of academic degrees in the family is substantial. In addition, I come from a family with a strong belief in serving others in the community and beyond. Through community, school, and church groups, we have participated in Feed My Starving Children events and numerous outreach programs. All of this has helped me understand my place and responsibility in the larger world.
I have a dream of one day playing Major League Baseball. If that dream is not realized, I would like to go into sports medicine. I have been exposed to some of the best orthopedic surgeons in the United States as a selected participant in a long-term study of elite athletes. Each year this team of doctors evaluates us for injury, strength, and mobility. I have always admired these doctors and their ability to improve athletes' lives after being injured. Bringing my background as an elite baseball athlete, I know I could help athletes both mentally and physically get through the setbacks of an injury and the challenges of healing. The guiding principles of commitment, leadership, integrity and courage lead to success in any undertaking - athletic or academic. I look forward to the opportunity of proving myself in an outstanding academic setting and contributing to a top-notch baseball program.
