ECC Baseball Team scores academic home run
The Ellsworth Community College Panther Baseball Team had a high-scoring fall semester even though its actual scheduled season begins this month. The points tallied by the players were posted on academic transcripts rather than scoreboards.
“This fall the ECC Panther Baseball Team earned a cumulative GPA of 3.12 and we had three players finish with perfect 4.0 GPAs for the semester,” says Nate Forsyth, ECC Head Baseball Coach. “I am very proud of how well we did in the classroom this fall. Our baseball study tables show our continued commitment to academics by our student athletes and also our coaching staff.”
The three players earning 4.0 GPAs and elite positions on the ECC Dean’s List are Tyler McCreary of Hiawatha, a sophomore studying computer science; Patrick Riewer of Wadena, MN, a sophomore studying engineering; and Jordan Stroschein of Marion, a freshman majoring in pharmacy.
“We study as a team four hours a week, basically one hour a day,” explains Coach Forsyth. “I schedule the time up for study tables and we have them right next to the Academic Center for Excellence on campus, so everyone has access to help if they need it.”
Coach Forsyth says the initial academic assistance to his new players begins in the fall with basic help with time management. The coaches help student athletes look ahead to upcoming tests or papers that are due. With the busy baseball practice schedule the students often struggle to keep things prioritized. And with nearly 40 team members, the coaches are committed to helping the athletes do their all around best.
“In the fall, we practice around nine hours a week and also play scrimmages about twice a week; so we are busy,” says Forsyth. “In the spring we will practice more and when the season starts we will be missing classes some days. It is important for students to be as prepared academically as they can.”
“Everyone loves to play baseball and that is the easy part of college; the better we are in the classroom the better motivated our players are on the field,” adds Coach Forsyth.