My experience with the University of Virginia baseball program has been more fulfilling than I could have ever imagined. I was afforded the opportunity to take part in the planning and running of a NCAA Regional Baseball tournament, coach and instruct along side a group of college coaches that are second to none when it comes to instruction and I will forever be able to say that Coach Brian O'Connor is one of my mentors. I still have to stop and put that into perspective for myself. I have always been a baseball fan. I always wanted to play in the college world series. I have a mentor that not only played in the college world series, but is forever immortalized in the minds of anyone that attends the college world series in Omaha. He is one of the players who's image is captured during a celebration after a win at Omaha in a statue out front of the stadium. Now, if and when I decide to leave law enforcement and try to get into college coaching, I will be able to put forth that part of my training has come from one of the most respected college coaches in the entire country. Let me clarify at this point about my future aspirations. I do believe that I have the knowledge and capabilities to coach at the collegiate level. However, I know if my dreams are to become a reality, I will have to coach at a small school. And, I am fine with that scenario. The trick is going to be finding a school that I can both teach at and coach.
My internship did not turn out as I thought it would. I really didn't understand how much time away from Charlottesville Coach O'Connor was going to be spending. However, I was able to spend much of my time around Davenport Field and the program as a whole. I was able to instruct at the UVA baseball camps. This wouldn't have happened if I wasn't a part of the program already. I was able to get to know several of the players and see first hand the type of men that Coach O'Connor is recruiting. This are good men with a ton of heart and who understand how the game is played. They play it hard. Or, as Coach O'Connor preaches...Hard 90. This was a great approach for me to see. This is exactly how I played and what I continue to preach to my players and my own children.
I sincerely hope my relationship with the UVA baseball program continues. If it does not, I can take solace in knowing that I received training, guidance and inspiration from one of the premier baseball programs in the country. And, I will be able to take that with me regardless of whether I stay in law enforcement or if I fulfill my original dream of coaching college baseball. Either way, this summer was a huge success from my perspective.
My internship did not turn out as I thought it would. I really didn't understand how much time away from Charlottesville Coach O'Connor was going to be spending. However, I was able to spend much of my time around Davenport Field and the program as a whole. I was able to instruct at the UVA baseball camps. This wouldn't have happened if I wasn't a part of the program already. I was able to get to know several of the players and see first hand the type of men that Coach O'Connor is recruiting. This are good men with a ton of heart and who understand how the game is played. They play it hard. Or, as Coach O'Connor preaches...Hard 90. This was a great approach for me to see. This is exactly how I played and what I continue to preach to my players and my own children.
I sincerely hope my relationship with the UVA baseball program continues. If it does not, I can take solace in knowing that I received training, guidance and inspiration from one of the premier baseball programs in the country. And, I will be able to take that with me regardless of whether I stay in law enforcement or if I fulfill my original dream of coaching college baseball. Either way, this summer was a huge success from my perspective.
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