by Jack Ryan
Trust the process, trust the process, trust the process.
This three word phrase is constantly echoed from people far and wide. This process was by far one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do in my entire life and at times I most certainly did not trust it.
When my family and I first started talking about playing in college my goal was initially to get off the island. We started searching around and by my junior year I was drawing some solid interest from a couple schools throughout the Northeast. I visited a few schools that I thought would challenge me academically and I could play baseball at. Between talking to many coaches and friends all arrows looked like there would be some sort of offer. This is where I began to not trust the process.
It’s not uncommon for once or twice to talk to a school for awhile, go on a visit –love the school, the surroundings, coaches– and things do not to work out. It’s extremely disappointing, but you have to keep your head up and persevere.
The fall season came and it started to become very real that I could play my last baseball game next spring. I had a conversation with my good friend Nick Trabacchi about this and about how I was really unsure I was going to find a good fit and possibly not playing baseball and he ensured me it would happen and that I would find the fit.
Then a couple weeks went by and I was fortunate enough that Bill Ianniciello, the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, circled back in and talked to head coach Dom Scala and made me an offer. After discussing things with my family it began to all make sense, my family means the world to me. It all clicked one night when my mom came to talk to me about my choices and after that conversation I knew that it would be best to stay on the island and play at Adelphi.
I’d like to take a second and thank everyone who has helped me along the way. My parents stuck with me through the whole process and I couldn’t have done it without them and my entire family, friends and teammates. I’d also like to thank all the coaches helped me through this process Tom Downey, Paul Parsolano, Greg Naccari, Bill Ianniciello, Larry Izzo and many others. Thank you to everyone who has helped along the way.
Go Panthers!
