The 2016 Rams Reflect is the first in a series of annual collections. Senior captains and representatives of Suffolk teams have been invited to contribute viewpoints based on personal experience from both their senior seasons and full varsity careers at Suffolk. 

For a complete listing of the 2016 Rams’ Reflections, click here. 

Looking back at my time and experiences here at Suffolk, there are many memories that flash before my eyes. I have been fortunate enough to be a part of four great teams where I have made many friends and established countless relationships over these years. While the personnel may have changed from season to season, there is one underlying factor that has always remained the same; that is being a Mutt. Suffolk University is represented as the Rams for the school mascot, however any player that has passed through the baseball program will tell you something different. For four years I have been approached as to why we as the baseball team refer to ourselves as Mutts, and not the traditional name Rams. Mutts are defined as dogs that are mixed breeds and the term usually has negative connotations. We refer to ourselves as Mutts because we are such a diverse group, with different backgrounds and reasons for coming to Suffolk, traveling on our mutual journeys. 

Being a Mutt means more than just a name across the jersey, it is the everyday challenges of being an athlete at Suffolk. We do not have a field on campus; we drive to and from practice every day in sun, rain, or snow; and our facilities are not always top of the line owing to the aged or shared nature typical of an institution of our age and location. These are all excuses that could easily be used as reasons for why it may be difficult to succeed. Being a Mutt means overcoming these excuses and having the grit and courage to use these difficulties to your advantage. It is the ability to master the challenges presented and overcome each and every one of them day to day, year to year. 

My experience has taught me more than just the fundamentals of the game, but lessons I will take along my journey into the ‘real’ world. Overcoming adversity and the bumps in the road are keys to becoming successful both on and off the field. When I chose to come to Suffolk I honestly had no idea what I was truly getting myself into. Now, as I have matured and grown tremendously, thanks to all my teammates, coaches, teachers, friends and family, I feel as if I am prepared for the workforce and any endeavor I may encounter.

My time spent with the Suffolk baseball team is something I will cherish forever and take with me throughout life. Reflecting back, one memory in particular constantly comes to mind- - our loss in our conference championship game my freshman year (2012). We had the game won and let it slip out of our hands in the final inning. Tears were shed and hearts were broken. From that point moving forward, there has always been a chip on the shoulders of the Mutts. Nothing is given to us and it was made a clear reality on that day. I believe it contributes to what the true makeup of a Mutt is. It means looking at a disadvantage and overcoming that disadvantage in order to learn and transform into a better person and player. Looking back, I am grateful and honored to have been lucky enough to play baseball for Suffolk University. It has shaped me as a young man and has allowed me more opportunities than I can describe. But most of all and most importantly, I am honored to call myself a member of the elite group of individuals who are able to call themselves a Mutt.