For most college students, once May hits and exams are over, it’s time to relax by the pool, at the beach, or at home. But for two-sport athlete Russell Wilson, the summer may be more packed then the school year.
Wilson was last year’s starting quarterback at N.C. State but was recruited to play baseball. And like most college baseball players, he is staying sharp this summer. Several weeks ago, Wilson suited up for a stint with the Gastonia Grizzlies of the Coastal Plain League.
However, Wilson will not get the benefit of playing an entire season with the Grizzlies. Wilson is on a football scholarship and when football practice starts June 30, Wilson is obligated to attend. As a result, he must cut off half of his summer league schedule with the Grizzlies. The busy schedule is no problem for Wilson, who says he prefers to stay active.
“That’s the way I like it,” Wilson said. “I like being busy. I feel like I am more successful when I am staying active and having a lot of things to do in my life.”
While playing for the Grizzlies, Wilson is playing second base and leading off. He is currently batting .208 and is leading the team in stolen bases and at bats. But, according to Grizzlies coach Eli Benefield, some of his biggest contributions are the effort he puts into the game and his leadership skills.
“Overall he is a great guy and a great asset for us to have. He is definitely a leader and plays hard every night,” Benefield said. “He is our sparkplug for this team.”
After he sustained a knee injury in the PapaJohns.com Bowl on Dec. 29, Wilson was held off the State baseball active roster until April. There are no signs of the injury that could pose a problem for Wilson and the Pack in the fall.
“He came in right away and it looked like he had been playing since February,” Benefield said. “He walked right into the league and had no problem. He didn’t have a slow start at all, and his injury is definitely not slowing him down at all. He is just getting better and more comfortable every day.”
When comparing baseball in Gastonia and at State, Wilson said the only real difference is that the games are much more relaxed.
“There is not a lot of difference from State to here. There is good competition everywhere, good pitchers every night, so not too much of a difference,” Wilson said. “The level of importance for each game is a little different but I am a competitor and I want to win every game.”
The league in which Wilson is playing has included several major league players at different times, including All-Star pitcher and former American League Rookie of The Year winner Justin Verlander, two time World Champion Kevin Youkilis and National League Rookie of the Year runner up Ryan Zimmerman. Choosing to play for the Grizzlies was a complicated decision for Wilson, who had to take into considerat ion the starting time of the season in to get in as many at-bats and games in as possible.
“It’s just a very good opportunity for me to come here. I had a lot of places I could go,” Wilson said. “But the Cape Cod League started too late for me to get there and get in my playing time before football.”
Wilson has enjoyed his time in Gastonia, citing the most enjoyable parts as playing in front of 1,000-plus fans every night and enjoying time with his teammates. His fellow Grizzlies hail from colleges all over the country, including Boston College, Appalachian State, Pittsburgh and Purdue.
“It’s great playing in Gastonia,” Wilson said. “A lot of fans come out, a couple thousand every night. So it’s great to have that amount of fans out there cheering for you, and my teammates are all great. They are all really hard working guys.”
While playing in the summer league, Wilson has not forgotten about football. He wakes up early every day and works in preparation for the season and then prepares for either a baseball game or practice in the afternoon. This determination is what impresses Benefield the most about Wilson.
“He works really hard and has made just a very smooth transition into the league. He is just a real focused individual, when you are a two sport athlete you have to be,” Benef ield said. “He is dedicated to working out and keeping his body to where it needs to be. When he gets onto the field, whether it be infield, outfield, he just gets it his all.”
Once July comes around and Wilson has to leave, he will be missed by his teammates and coaches, not just based on his skills as a player but as a leader, a friend and an all-around good guy.
“Everybody gravitates towards him,” Benefield said. “Right off of the bat he became a leader. I know a lot of guys are going to miss him; I know I will miss him when he leaves. He is just a great guy to coach and a good teammate for these guys and just a great guy to be around.”
