Photo courtesy of Collin DuganIf there’s one thing college teaches you, it’s that opportunities don’t always come ready-made; you often have to create them yourself. When I look back at my time in college, nothing captures that lesson better than the journey of starting the Shocker Baseball Club.
It all started in a pretty unexpected place - the basketball court. My friend from high school who, like me, grew up playing baseball, and I would shoot around between classes even though neither of us claims basketball as our sport. What we really wanted was baseball. We wished there was a club on campus, but wishing only got us so far. One day, I finally decided to email the sports club advisor to ask what it would take to start a baseball club. The answer? Just someone willing to make it happen. So I did.
Building a Club From Scratch
Starting the club was one thing. Getting people to join it? That was the hard part.
We handed out flyers, taped posters around campus, went to club sign-up days and hoped for the best. About ten people showed up to our first meeting - not a huge crowd, but enough to feel like the idea had potential. We secured practice space at the on-campus indoor baseball facility and tried to get into a routine. After navigating some scheduling conflicts with the baseball team, we finally landed consistent practices every Friday from 8 - 10 p.m.
The turnout wasn’t exactly overwhelming. For most of my sophomore year, only about four guys showed up regularly. Still, those practices were fun, and the passion was there. But four players isn’t a team.
Photo courtesy of Collin DuganGrowing the Club
Junior year brought a little momentum. Although we had about 40 members in the club we only averaged about seven consistent players actually going to practice, including a few who had never played baseball before. Seeing beginners come out just because they wanted to try something new was honestly one of the coolest parts.
Eventually, we reached the magic number to have a real game - nine players.
We scheduled a doubleheader against Kansas State’s club team and made the trip to Wamego, Kansas. For a group that started as a couple of friends messing around between classes, that day felt huge. We were a real team, playing real games and having a blast doing it. Later that year, I was even nominated for Club President of the Year. I didn’t win, but being nominated was an honor in and of itself, and a reminder of how far the club had come.
Senior Year and a Bittersweet Ending
My senior year brought even more highlights. We played K-State again, this time on our home turf in Wichita, and we also played the McConnell Air Force Base team. We wanted to schedule more games, but finding nine guys available on the same day turned out to be harder than hitting a curveball.
When I graduated, the club came to an end. No one wanted to take on the president role. Without leadership, it fizzled out. It was bittersweet, but I chose to see it for what it was - a great chapter, not the whole book.
Photo courtesy of Collin DuganWhat I Gained
Before starting the baseball club, I lived about 30 minutes from campus. My routine was simple: show up, go to class, head home. I wasn’t involved, didn’t know many people and didn’t really feel connected to the campus community.
The Shocker Baseball Club changed all of that.
Because of the club, I made friends, met awesome people and finally felt like I belonged to something bigger than myself. It made my college experience richer in ways I never expected.
If You Take Anything Away From This…
If there’s something you love, something you’re passionate about, go be part of it. Join the club, show up and try something new. And if the thing you love doesn’t exist yet? Do what I did. Start it.
You never know how many doors one bold email or one small idea could open.
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