At a young age, it is tough to wait your turn—later in life, it is no different.
Oklahoma Christian University’s Jared Price, who signed in June with the Birmingham Bloomfield Beavers of the United Shore Professional Baseball League in Michigan, has redefined the path of the conventional professional athlete.
A local standout at Carl Albert High School in Midwest City, OK, Price signed with Oklahoma Christian and became the youngest of three Price brothers to wear an Eagles jersey. After redshirting his freshman year, Price logged 13 appearances on the mound, making an immediate impact.
After continued success, Price was forced to take a step back after tearing his ulnar collateral ligament, forcing a medical redshirt in what would have been his senior season. After surgery and rehabilitation, Price reclaimed his role as the Eagles’ fireman, finishing his sixth season with a team-high 8 saves and a 3.52 earned run average.
In a recent interview with the Talon, Price shared his thoughts on his experience thus far.
Q: What are a few things you learned from the Oklahoma Christian coaching staff or your teammates that have been beneficial at the professional level?
First, from my coaching staff I learned to always show up to the field with a positive attitude and mindset ready to work and get better each and every day. They instilled in our heads that no matter what level you play at, if you can play, the right people will find you. As far as what I learned from my teammates at Oklahoma Christian, the list is endless. I learned how to truly be a great teammate and spend just as much time developing relationships off the field as I did developing my skills on the field. I cannot say thank you enough to the coaching staff and my teammates from OC.
Q: You faced consistent adversity throughout your college career, facing and recovering from a torn UCL. How did this adversity affect your character and work ethic?
I will be honest, the day I found out my elbow was torn up was one of the worst days of my college career. But, with the help of an incredible training staff, a great group of friends and my faith in Jesus Christ I was able to work every day and use my injury as an influence to others around me that nothing can hold you back from achieving your dream.
Q: As a unique six-year college athlete, what did your additional time teach you about leadership and how have you incorporated that at the professional level?
First of all, I was very grateful to be able to spend six years at such a great university as Oklahoma Christian. As far as leadership, I feel that is a trait that is instilled in you as a person, and it cannot be developed. I felt I was born with that trait inside of me, and I embraced that role as a senior at OC. What I learned as a professional is that if your ball club doesn’t have any leadership, you won’t go anywhere as a team.
Q: Describe the feeling and emotion you felt during your first outing in independent ball.
Man, stepping on to that mound for the first time in a professional game was the single greatest moment of my baseball life. I stepped off the back of the mound and took a huge breath and just thought to myself that everything I went through was all worth it. As a strong, tough baseball player, I’d like to say there weren’t any tears shed after the game, but that would be a complete lie. I still truly never forget that moment.
Q: What are some words of wisdom you would like to express to other Division II athletes who have had hardships that want to continue playing at the next level?
I would tell them that it may seem cliché, but if you show up every day and work your tail off you can do and play wherever you want to play. I would advise them that if they encounter a setback or an injury, lean on your closest friends and your faith with God and attack that setback head-on and don’t let it beat you or knock you down. If I could go back and do my college career again, I would do it the exact same way. Every high and low moment made me exactly the person and player I am today.
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