(Editor’s Note: Logan is a 2018 graduate of St. John the Baptist. He recently committed to East Carolina University. It was his childhood dream to attend there)
by Logan O’Hoppe
In all honesty, I never really thought that being a Pirate was a possibility. I have been around it since I was a toddler and always loved the atmosphere. I went down to ECU for my first camp last November. In my mind, I was just going down there to play at my dream school for the mere experience. I didn’t think anything would come out of it.
I had never really been in serious contact with any other schools at this point since I was only a sophomore. Fortunately, I played very well at camp and I suppose I left a good impression with Coach Palumbo. Winter came and went and the school season progressed into summer ball season. I was lucky enough to earn a spot on the Body Armor Titans 16U team. This was a very special group of guys. We had instant chemistry as a team and the amount of respect for each other was tremendous. Colleges called as the summer went on and everyone was so fired up for each other if an offer came in.
After attending the Perfect Game Tournament in Georgia, some offers started coming in. I was realizing my dream of playing Division I baseball was more than likely a legitimate reality. With this, however, came some stress. I quickly realized that I was beginning to form relationships with coaches who I respected so much. It was weighing on me that, in the end, I couldn’t please everyone. The coaches at Fordham, Monmouth, Albany, Manhattan, Michigan, Elon, and West Virginia had a special place in my heart. When they came to see me play, I appreciated their time and feedback. Each of these schools had something that I valued when considering my choice for college.
At my second ECU camp this past August, I really fell in love with the baseball program and the coaching staff. They took pride in the little things like big body language, effort, and hustle. Coaches Godwin, Palumbo, Roszel, and Buscaino made me feel at home. On the last day of camp, I was offered the opportunity to play at ECU. It was a dream come true! This past Thursday, after a lot of discussion with my parents, high school coaches, Titans coaches, and family, I verbally committed to play baseball at East Carolina University! This dream couldn’t have become reality without Coach Dalton, Tom Downey, Chris Sipp, Paul Parsolano, Casey McKay and Ralph Rizzo and many more. Thank you to all who have supported me and believed in me along the way.
GO PIRATES!
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