How a textbook cost me a job in the MLB

by Matt Gunn
gunnma@mscd.edu

Before becoming serious about a college education, I spent four years as a stadium operations assistant in the Colorado Rockies Baseball Club. Four years spent believing that a career in hanging flags and fixing plastic seats was going to take me somewhere.

During that time, I believed that professional sports were the pinnacle of all things athletic. I sacrificed time and good grades in the anticipation that the faceless front office saw me as an asset to the organization.

I was stupid back then, and while I don't claim to be any more intelligent now, my perspective has changed significantly. I no longer hold professional athletes or the organizations they play for in such high esteem.

Instead, I find hope in college athletes. They play without the expectation of riches and public attention. I've watched a lot of pro sports in my life, but haven't seen in professionals the same dedication or love of the game with which college athletes approach each day.

I didn't see much in the professional sports world that screamed professionalism. I was, of course, working for one of the worst teams in baseball's recent history. Losing wasn't happening on the field alone; it was everywhere.

During the dog days of summer, I was reading a geology textbook in my office. My co-workers were out smoking in their cars.

My boss walked into the office. He made it clear to me that I had a choice: I was either a student or I worked for him. I couldn't be both. The next day, I was fired.

I've heard a million times that every end is a new beginning, but I felt so lost walking the Denver streets alone and unemployed.

Making the most of my tragic loss meant concentrating on school and helping out in Metro's athletic department. I found salvation in class, and passed the time writing media guides and delivering statistics.

Watching sports became fun again, and I began to see there was more to it than greed and fame. I've never seen a basketball team as dedicated to its coach as the Roadrunners. The picture of consistency, Metro's men's basketball team hasn't missed the postseason in the past eight years.

Of course, there's Metro's defending national champion, the women's soccer team. Head coach Danny Sanchez has them working on a 46-game home winning streak. I'm not sure there's another team in the nation with that kind of home field advantage.

I don't see anyone on these teams trading in their education for a shot at the pros and a multimillion-dollar shoe contract.

My career as an athlete is extremely limited (unless you count time in the batting cages and the occasional lacrosse pickup game). I haven't really befriended any players in my time with The Metropolitan - I have to stay objective.

Through it all, however, I started to pay a little more attention in class and I'm no longer rushing to be one of the pros. Somehow, I've seen more professionalism in the Roadrunners than a team like the Colorado Rockies could ever have taught me.