Jennifer Hoffer – Sports Editor
As the 2014 MLB season is just underway, there have been many trades, contracts and rules changed over the offseason that will affect how this season goes.
One being, New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter announcing his retirement after the season. Since his announcement, Jeter has said he plans to visit colleges to speak to students about his career and his success he has had; one of those colleges being Southern. That’s right Derek Jeter will be visiting Southern on April 16th as he will be speaking to students at the Lyman Center.
“We are very excited about his arrival,” athletic director Patricia Nicol said. “Southern was actually one of the last colleges Jeter chose to speak at during this little tour of his.”
Jeter had chosen numerous colleges in New York to speak at. And Southern was just 1 of three colleges he chose to speak out here in Connecticut. Quinnipiac University and the University of Connecticut were the other two colleges Jeter has chosen to speak at.
This isn’t the only time Jeter has reached out to speak to students. Jeter came to Foran High School in Milford in 2006 for a surprise visit, not only to surprise the school, but to surprise a student there who was suffering from a flesh-eating disease and was also a die-hard Yankee fan.
Assistant athletic director, Michael Kobylanski, said he is excited for Derek Jeter to come and speak here because he is not only looked up to as a great baseball player, but a great role model.
“He’s just a great person, has great morals, and always knows what to say and how to say it,” Kobylanski said. “He sends great messages to kids. I think it’s great that he’s coming to speak here because I think he’s one of just a few people now in sports who are idolized and really love the game for sheer enjoyment of playing it.”
Because of how genuine Derek Jeter is, he said he is also going to take the time to go to some of Southern’s athletic events that day. He said he especially wants to check out the baseball team and the softball team.
“No matter what level of play it is, whether it be college, little league, or high school, I love watching kids play and just seeing the joy it brings to them when they are out on the field,” Jeter said.
In 2012, Southern had the pleasure of welcoming ex-Giants offensive coach, Kevin Gillbride to come and speak to students after winning the Super Bowl. Gillbride was nice enough to bring along ex-Giant wide receiver, Hakeem Nicks to come along and speak to the students too.
Derek Jeter said just like Gilbride, he plans on bringing head coach, Joe Girardi with him on this college tour of his, and also plans to bring a few special guests, who he said will remain nameless until he starts the tours.
“I love surprising people,” Jeter said. “So for each college or university I go to I’m going to bring along one of my teammates. It might be the same player, or a different player, we’ll see. Like I said, I love surprises and changing things up.”
Just like the player and person Jeter is, he said he really wants to emphasize and focus on, on what it means to be part of a team and work with teammates.
“That is essentially my goals on this tour of mine,” Jeter said. “I want to be able to speak to these college students who are about to embark in something new in the real world, and give them something worthwhile that they can remember as they chase their dreams. I chased mine and look where it got me. But it took working with people, and making bonds with other people like my teammates, friends, coaches and family, to get where I am. That’s most important in life to get where you want to get; family, friends, teachers, coaches, and peers. They’ll be there when you start, and they’ll be there when you end.”
