Bryce Cermenelli | Missouri State Baseball
Hometown/Current City: Norco, Calif. / Springfield, Mo.
Undergraduate Major: Family and Consumer Sciences
Postgraduate Field of Study: Sports Management
How has playing sports shaped who you are today?
Playing baseball has shaped me into who I am today by teaching myself to stay disciplined and committed, even if I don’t feel like it. Being a college athlete has shown me what it means to work hard for something bigger than myself. Baseball is a sport where failure happens often, so being able to flush the bad moments and stay mentally tough is a great lesson.
What career path are you pursuing after college?
I plan on pursuing a job in the baseball world after college. I would like to either be a sports adviser for younger athletes or become a college coach at the Division I level.
Favorite class so far (or toughest)?
The toughest class I have ever had was my Kinesiology 2 class my second year of junior college. It was on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5-9:30 pm during baseball season. It was filled with students who aspired to be doctors and nurses and I was just hoping I made it to class on time after practice.
What’s the best advice you ever got from a coach or teammate?
The best advice I have ever received was “Be in the moment.” I think as athletes it is easy to look forward toward what is later ahead in the season. Being able to stay grounded and attentive to the task at hand helps a lot.
What advice would you share with today’s student-athletes?
My advice to today’s student athletes would be to enjoy the experience and do not take it for granted. The days are going to be long, but the years go by quickly, and you’ll miss being around your teammates more than anything else.
How has being a student-athlete helped you succeed in the classroom?
Being a student athlete has taught me strong time management and discipline. Balancing all of the needs of a student athlete including practices, workouts, games, and travel has forced me to become extremely organized. It has taught me how to stay focused, which helps a lot when working on projects or taking exams.
What does wearing your jersey mean to you?
Wearing the jersey means a lot to me. It’s a constant reminder of the work that it took to get to where I’m at. Having a sense of pride being able to suit up and compete on a weekly basis is something I do not ever want to take for granted.