Year: Sophomore
Position: Outfield
Hometown: Bethlehem, Pa.
High School: Liberty
Major: Financial Economics 

Why did you choose Moravian College?

I chose Moravian not only because of their strong academic reputation, but because of the ability for my friends and family to see me play baseball at the collegiate level. It is interesting as well because my father, grandfather, and uncle all went to school here as well and played baseball.

What is your major and why?

My major is financial economics. I have always been interested in money and how it moves and circulates. I have always dreamed of living in New York City, the financial capital of the world, and have always been fascinated by how money moves in and out of the city.

What has been your favorite course at Moravian and why?

Business statistics has been my favorite course thus far. I had an internship in New York City the summer of 2016 and I was primarily focused on setting up documents using excel and other programs. It is interesting to see how much information I learned in business statistics that related to what I did during my internship and will most likely relate to what I will do during my first job out of college.

What are your plans for the future once you finish your degree at Moravian?

I intend on starting my MBA all while working and living in New York City or somewhere along the coast in Florida or out in California. 

What is your most memorable moment as a Greyhound?

The entire 2016 season, although we didn’t achieve what we wanted, it still one of the most fun and exhilarating times of my life.

How has being an athlete helped you as a student and in the classroom?

I knew I had to play a sport in college in order to perform well in the classroom. Some or most student athletes would say otherwise, that if they didn’t play a sport they would do much better in class, but for me, I need to have a structured week. I find myself procrastinating more often than not when I do not have sports going on. 

What is the hardest part of your sport?

The mental aspect of the game is by far the most difficult part. The ability to stay mentally tough and push past everything that does not go your way in the game is key. Baseball is a game of failure, if you get a hit 3 out of the 10 times you are up to bat you are considered a good player. In professional baseball you are considered great and possibly one of the best.

Why do you wear your jersey number?

I chose number 10 because the man who played before me and wore this number. Matt Hanson, who is now one of our assistant coaches, was an All-American and he would do anything in his power to help the team win. He is a role model for me and I am striving to be better than he was when he played here at Moravian.

Name one obstacle or form of adversity you have had to overcome.

I have had to overcome the fact that my position on the field is never guaranteed. In high school, I was one of the best, if not the best player on my varsity team for 2 years, so it was not like I had to fight for a position really. When I came to Moravian, there were 6 other outfielders and infielders that could play the outfield as well. I had to learn to fight for what I wanted more than ever and I still have to continue to do so. 

Why is community service important to your role as a student-athlete at Moravian? 

I have always been involved in community service in some way, shape or form ever since I was very little. I went to Catholic school and was raised a Catholic as well so my parents always emphasized the importance of helping others who are in need and giving more of yourself. Now that I am at Moravian, I realize how integrated the school is with the city and I realize more and more every day how lucky we are as students and student athletes to be able to go to school and play the sport or sports we love. It’s essential for us to give back to the community that treats us so well and puts us in its highest regard.

What advice do you have for a prospective Moravian College student-athlete?

Moravian College athletics are Division III. The Divisions do not matter whatsoever. You will work just as hard as you would at Lehigh University, which is where I was initially committed to play baseball, and will still face competition as good as those top D-I schools as well. D-3 is not as much of a time commitment however as  D-1. You will have a lot of time to get involved with other clubs, go out with your friends, and even travel to visit friends at different schools. Moravian offers much more than you think academically and athletically. For me personally, de-committing from a top D-1 baseball school and a school which is also nationally ranked for its business program, and then ending up at Moravian, I thought I was selling myself short. Moravian ended up being a blessing in disguise. I love my team, the school, and I enjoy the fact that the school is a very tight-knit community where everybody knows or knows of just about everybody.

Favorite:
Color? Green
Food? Cavitelli and Broccoli
Restaurant? Apollo Grille
Movie? Pirates of the Caribbean
TV Show? How I Met Your Mother
Musical Artist? Jay-Z
Athlete? Albert Pujols
Pro Team? St. Louis Cardinals
Hobbies? Skiing, Fishing, Jet Skiing, Tubing, Traveling
Most Prized Possession? My watches.
Biggest Fear? Spiders or Bees.