SXU Baseball Player Named to CSC Academic All-District Team
Saint Xavier University (SXU) baseball player Aaron Orzech is one of four members of the team named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team. To qualify, a student-athlete must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, have started or played at least 66.7% of their team's games, and be a sophomore or higher.
CSC divides the honorees into four divisions: NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA. By earning All-District, the winners advance to the CSC Academic All-America ballot. Those honorees for First-, Second- and Third-Team Academic All-America will be announced on July 1.
Orzech, the junior catcher, has maintained a 4.0 GPA and a .413 batting average, all while pursuing a degree in exercise science. Excelling on the field and in the classroom is something he takes great pride in.
"It's an honor to receive any award after a long season. Being able to stay on top of my academics while still staying sharp and locked in on the field is something I pride myself on. Being able to thrive as a student-athlete has shown me I can do just about anything if I stick to routines and healthy habits on and off the field," Orzech said.
Balancing his studies with a non-stop baseball season, Orzech's schedule is well-organized, which has led to his success.
"It's all about priorities. I like to get a lot of my heavy academic workload done early in the week so that I can focus on performing on the field by the time the first pitch is thrown each weekend. It definitely gets challenging, but as long as I stick to a solid study routine and make sure I get enough sleep, I usually come out happy and healthy," Orzech said.
The grind of it all has taught him lessons he'll take with him far past his baseball career and his time in college. As the captain of the baseball team, he needs to be a good example for his teammates. That pressure has not only taught him to be a better player but also a better scholar.
"I've seen noticeable progress in my ability to manage high-stress situations. Being a captain on the field, I'm asked to look at complex tasks and provide simple solutions for those around me. I feel like that mindset has ignited a new flame in my academic career as well, helping me observe assignments and exams more simplistically and efficiently," Orzech said.
As an exercise science major, Orzech aspires to become a strength and conditioning coach in a professional organization. He wants to make a difference in the athletic journeys of people across the globe, just as he experienced at SXU.