James Syracuse '22 Recruiting Profile

I started playing sports when I was four years old.  After experimenting with multiple sports, I grew up playing football, baseball, and wrestling competitively. Playing year-round sports has taught me many leadership skills and significantly helped me mature as a student-athlete. Although I have always been successful in securing a starting spot in the sports I played, I have always had a strong interest in perusing baseball after high-school. Even though I have dedicated the majority of my time to playing sports and maintaining good grades, I've made time for my adventurous hobbies. Growing up in Northeast Pennsylvania has allowed me the opportunities to snowboard and ride snowmobiles in the winter. When there is not snow on the ground, I enjoy riding dirt bikes and ATV's. I look forward to my family's annual trip to Wildwood NJ where jet skiing , surfing, wakeboarding, and fishing became a tradition. 

It was actually these hobbies that had led me to my true passion in life, mechanical engineering.  Without me even realizing it, from fixing fishing poles to rebuilding engines,  I found myself fabricating parts. I have always had the natural patience, ability, and need to figure things out on my own. I have been fortunate that my father owns an auto body collision repair shop and I grew up with tools at my fingertips fueling my mechanically inclined niche.

I have enjoyed working in my parent's garage.  Coming from a family owned and operated small business, I learned from a young age the importance of not only hard work but quality work.  Being that my parents never had the opportunity to attend college or further their education after high school, I am hopeful that baseball can contribute to the success in my future.