Commitments
Editor’s note: This is an ongoing series and a tip of the cap to our current college commits on furthering their education as well as their baseball careers.
Beau Schaffer, a senior pitcher and third baseman at St. Ignatius Prep, is one of growing number of student-athletes following the trend of choosing his collegiate landing place by its academic offerings – in addition to its athletics.
Schaffer made his decision last fall to attend Colby College in Waterville, Maine. The NCAA-Division III program recently wrapped up the top seed in the New England Small College Athletic Conference's East Division. The Mules (22-12) qualified for the Division III World Series a year ago.
At this point, he plans to study economics, but his major could change, he says.
“I don’t have a clear career goal at the moment – I'm still a teenager in high school," he said. "... Ultimately, I just want to get the best education and gain enough experience while pushing my athletic career to be really successful in the real world.”
And much like his St. Ignatius Prep team that has aspirations of a Central Coast Section championship, he wants to play baseball at the next level on a program with a history of success.
“I know (Colby) is very talented and hardworking and I can't wait to join on in the fall and compete together," he said.
And Colby coach Jesse Woods is confident that Schaffer will fit in seamlessly with the Mules.
"We were impressed with him and knew academically and athletically he was a good fit," Woods said.
The trek from the Peninsula to Maine – about 3,500 miles, as the crow flies – is one of those roads that's not often traveled. Schaffer admits he'd never heard of Colby College until last summer when he found himself on the school's radar after attending a local camp.
“I'd never really heard of Colby College until they showed interest in me," Schaffer said. "We had a lot of back-and-forth long-distance conversations with the recruiting coordinator, and I did a bunch of research on the school."
He found a school that that places a balance on academics and athletics – something that "suits me and my parents' approval." Elliott and Jennifer Schaffer have always stressed that homework comes before baseball.
That aligns with Woods' coaching philosophy at Colby. The seasoned veteran, who has coaching stints at Boston College and Notre Dame, is in his eighth year at Colby and is coming off winning coach of the year honors.
"Colby offers elite education and athletics," Woods said.
Wood extolls Colby's state-of-the-art indoor facility that is necessary in February, when the diamond is covered by snow. St. Ignatius Prep's home field at Fairmont Park, known for its rugged conditions, will seem downright balmy compared to a winter in New England and Schaffer embraces that.
“I’m really looking forward to experiencing a real four seasons weather-wise," said Schaffer, who fondly remembers the family ski trips to Lake Tahoe. "I enjoy being in snow and I’m not the biggest fan of hot weather.
He remembers hearing former Giants all-star Tim Lincecum, one of his boyhood favorites, explain why he loved pitching in the cold weather.
"That always stuck with me," he said. "Hitters tighten up and make soft contact."
-- Mike Sangimino
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