With Every Ending Comes a New Beginning

The devastation that lies within hearing that you need Tommy John Surgery was something that I was able to cope with in early July when I heard Dr. James Andrews calmly inform me of the news over the phone. Knowing that the news would theoretically put a dagger in any hopes of me competing during my senior season at college was something that I had difficulty coping with.

I had just come off a junior season in which I was the Friday starter for my college team, led my conference in ERA and was voted to the Division III All-Region team by the ABCA. I was geared up and ready to go, hoping for another magical run to the NCAA tournament that I had enjoyed so much in the past with many of the teammates that are still present with me at school. Suddenly, those dreams were ripped from me.

The day after Dr. Andrews told me my fate, I called the NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis. They informed me that I would be eligible to continue my playing career at another institution as long as I was working towards a graduate degree in a field of study that was not offered at my current school. In this particular scenario, I then wouldn't have to sit out the typically obligatory year that is generally required of transfers.

I got to work. I didn't want my last pitch thrown to be an errant wild pitch in the first inning of a game. I didn't want all the ensuing hard work (and boy is it hard work) in order to rehab myself back into full strength to be for naught. I wanted to pitch again, I wanted to perform at a level I knew I could perform at.

Starting in late July, I sent out a slew of emails to several dozen college coaches around the country. All of these schools offered masters degrees in the field of Sports Industry Management, something that I am interested in pursuing and is not offered at SUNY Oneonta, where I currently attend school. I sent email after email after email. I spent literally hundreds of hours researching academic programs, baseball coaches and NCAA rules. All the while, I was stuck in a sling or a cast or unable to throw a baseball at all. This went on for months.

The vast majority of the college coaches I contacted did not respond. And the vast majority that did respond told me that while they wish me the best of luck in my recovery, they did not wish to take a risk on a one-year player with an " injury history". Then there were a few that actually were legitimately interested. With these coaches I exchanged emails, text messages and phone calls. A few coaches invited me to campus during the fall and showed me around the facilities, introducing me to players and having me meet with the admissions people of the academic department.

After hours and hours more, I sent my applications out in December, along with three letters of recommendation (a math professor, an internship coordinator and my current school's athletic director). And then I waited.

I waited for months and months and months for the decision. I knew that if I was to be accepted into the program, I'd have a roster spot waiting for me. My future lay in the hands of a graduate school admissions committee, people who I did not know and had no control over. The waiting game was a nerve-wracking time.

This morning I completed the throwing portion of today's rehab assignment, 30 pitches off the mound at 50% velocity. I just wrapped up and was heading to the weight room for my class called "Weight Training" (the laurels of being a second semester senior...GREAT electives) and decided to check my phone to see if I had any text messages or any other notifications. On the top of the screen my Gmail notification showed that I had received a new e-mail. I glanced quickly and read the following:

"Your Admission Decision Is In."

I scurried to the athletic office, where I hopped on a desktop computer that is available for student-athlete use. I logged into my account and went onto my email. I took a deep breath, and opened my e-mail...

So here is my official HSBBWeb announcement:

Next year, I will be enrolling in the School of Continuing Studies to work towards a Masters Degree in Sports Industry Management at...

Georgetown University.

Coach Wilk and I met back in the fall and I felt right at home with the program and the entire surrounding area. Washington DC is a great city and the Georgetown campus is stunningly beautiful. The opportunity for me to work towards completing my graduate degree at a world-reknowned academic institution such as Georgetown while competing in the Big East as a pitcher for my final year of eligibility is a win-win situation in my mind. I've spent much of the day in a state of both ecstatic happiness and relief that this time consuming process is over and now I can celebrate and move onto the next phase in my life.

The lesson I've learned through all of this is simple...perseverance can take you a long way. Coming out of high school I never would have imagined I'd have the opportunity to study at a school like Georgetown or play that level of competition on the field. But fortunately or unfortunately, I had surgery. And I wanted so badly to turn a negative situation into an optimistic solution. While my work certainly isn't done in reaching my ultimate goals, I believe my acceptance letter certainly provides me with a strong foundation for doing just that.

Thanks to all who have helped and been supportive along the way, and go Hoyas!