David Cox
* College sports plans: Baseball at the University of Illinois at Chicago; NCAA Division I
* College major: Business
* Future goals: “To be drafted and make it to (Major League Baseball) but also leave an impact on the younger generations that’s the true goal.”
* Reasons I chose UIC: “I wanted to be close to home and the coaching staff treated me like family. I chose my school academically because I felt like I can get a great education while also being able to play baseball.”
* I decided to play college sports: “Because it’s the next step in my journey to MLB. I made this decision the first time I picked up a bat and haven’t looked back. One dream down, one to go.”
* What I learned from high school sports: “Having a coach that cares about you is the most important thing and the friendships you build will always be and you’ll never forget.”
Nick Drtina
* College sports plans: Baseball at the University of Louisville (Ky.); NCAA Division I
* College major: Sports management
* Future goals: “To get my degree in three years and start as a freshman.”
* Reasons I chose Louisville: “For the amazing coaching staff of (head coach Eric) Snider, Williams, Vrable and Mac (assistant coaches Roger Williams, Adam Vrable and Dan McDonnell).”
* Recruiting memories: “I was recruited in Georgia and within two days of getting a call from Louisville I was already being showed around campus. I made this decision my freshman year when I verbally committed.”
* I decided to play college sports: “When I was a little kid, always aspiring to push myself.”
* What I learned from high school sports: “To have fun, support your teammates and, too, be a good citizen in the community while always giving 100 percent day in and day out.”
Luca Fiore
* College sports plans: Baseball at the University of Illinois at Chicago; NCAA Division I
* College major: Business
* Future goals: “To graduate with a business degree and have four great baseball seasons.”
* Reasons I chose UIC: “Out of all the other schools I looked at, this one was the best. It has a beautiful campus and the coaches I got to meet and talk to, Coach Mac (head coach Sean McDermott) and Coach [John] Flood, were very nice.”
* I decided to play college sports: “Because I feel I have the talent to pursue the next level. I made the decision to play because, growing up, you go to all these big tournaments to get scouted and if you don’t go on to play, it would never pay off.”
* What I learned from high school sports: “The memories and lessons you learn from each other and from playing the game will stick with you forever. Our team at Nazareth is a group of guys that I will forever remember and still talk to when I’m older.”
John Hughes
* College sports plans: Baseball at the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill); NCAA Division I
* College major: Business
* Future goals: “Get drafted into the pros, get my degree and maybe consider law school.”
* Reasons I chose UNC: “Since my childhood, I had always been a UNC fan. Head coach Scott Forbes and pitching coach Bryant Gaines were both great people who made UNC feel like home. North Carolina is a top-25 program every year and plays in a great conference as well (Atlantic Coast). It was very important to my parents that I went to a high academic school, and UNC definitely fit that criteria.”
* Recruiting memories: “What stands out about the entire thing is how all the other schools recruiting me set up many phone calls, wanted to see me multiple times, made the process super long. I talked to multiple schools for months. I went to a UNC baseball camp, they liked me and wanted me the next day. I made the decision in November of my sophomore year because when I was there UNC felt like home. It truly felt like the perfect place for me.”
* I decided to play college sports: “Because I love baseball and it is the game I’ve been playing my entire life. It was a no-brainer that I could go to college and continue to play the sport that I love. I am excited for the challenge.”
* What I learned from high school sports: “First and foremost I learned how to win. We did that a lot. I also learned what it’s like to be on top and the positives and negatives that come with that. I learned to enjoy everything and to stay in the moment, take nothing for granted. In my four years with Nazareth, I grew not only as a player but as a person. The values instilled by the program guided me in becoming a man. I gained best friends and memories for life with both players and coaches.”
Cooper Malamazian
* College sports plans: Baseball at Indiana University (Bloomington); NCAA Division I
* College major: Sports marketing
* Future goals: “To get drafted to (Major League Baseball) and continue my playing career after college.”
* Reasons I chose Indiana: “The beautiful campus that felt like home along with the welcoming coaching staff and great facilities. They also have great academics that could lead me to success in my future.”
* I decided to play college sports: “I chose to pursue baseball because it is my passion and I have loved it the first day I picked up a bat. Pursuing it in college is the best way to achieve my goal of playing professionally.”
* What I learned from high school sports: “Throughout my career at Naz, I learned more than just the game of baseball. (Coach Lee Milano) instilled life skills in me that I will carry with me forever. I also learned that family doesn’t just mean people in your bloodline. Everyone I played with these last four years is family and we have created such a close bond that will never break.”
Cole Reifsteck
* College sports plans: Baseball at Belmont University (Nashville, Tenn.), NCAA Division I
* College major: Business
* Future goals: “To succeed in school and baseball.”
* Reasons I chose Belmont: “The location, culture created when I visited. Head coach (Dave) Jarvis has been there for a while and knows the game well. Belmont has a great business school and that is exactly what I needed.”
* Recruiting memories: “I tore my hip flexor before the Belmont camp but still attended and it ended up working out for me. I made this decision when I found out I needed surgery. I just knew Belmont was the best spot and choice for me and my family.”
* I decided to play college sports: “Due to the boys on my baseball team pushing me. And my older brother playing football and being a big help when I was younger.”
* What I learned from high school sports: “Never take anything for granted and to be thankful for everything and everyone you are surrounded by. My coaches at Nazareth were, by far, the best in the country and I couldn’t have asked for a better four years.”