MOBILE, Ala. – Getting inducted into any hall of fame is an incredible feat. However, getting inducted into the hall of fame of your alma mater is something extra special.
This year the University of South Alabama will honor four athletes at a place they once called home; Nic Chisholm, Ernie Rosseau, Lindsay Schwartz and David Freese. The four will be honored at a ceremony — currently schedule to take place, weather pending, at the Moulton Tower and Alumni Plaza — Saturday at 10 a.m. (CST).
Each had their path, special people who shaped them into who they are and different reasons they are thankful to be receiving the honor of being inducted into the hall of fame.
CHISHOLM CREDITS SOUTH ALABAMA FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
When Chisholm received the news he was being inducted into the hall of fame, he realized his efforts had paid off.
"It means a lot," he said. "All the hard work and effort pays off, and it is great to be recognized alongside other great athletes."
A native of Westville, South Africa, Chisholm helped elevate the men's tennis program. He was all-Sun Belt all four years in doubles, with three singles honors. He also helped the team to three NCAA appearances, including an appearance in the quarterfinals in 1995.
During his sophomore season, he was an NCAA All-American in doubles and finished the season ninth in the country.
He credits his learning experiences early on for influencing him during his time at South Alabama.
"I would say the senior class on my team when I was a freshman," said Chisholm. "They gave 100% every day, and really set a great example both off and off the court."
Mobile holds a special place in his heart and he can't wait to show new additions to his family where he and his wife spent a portion of their time.
"I met my wife at South (she played volleyball)," he said. "I think it will be great to show our kids where we met and where we went to college."
Chisholm learned a lot in his time as a Jag and wants to hand down his knowledge.
"Learning to be competitive and give your best day in and day out is super important," he observed. "It has helped shaped my success in the business world, as well with the lessons I can pass on to my kids."
ROSSEAU THANKS SOUTH ALABAMA, COACH STANKY FOR SHAPING HIM INTO WHO HE IS TODAY
Rosseau, a two-year letter winner in baseball, has been inducted into many hall of fames, but this one holds a special place in his heart.
"It's the number one invitation into a hall of fame I've ever had," Rosseau said. "I've been inducted to many others, but they were all because of what I did at South Alabama. I was there in 1972 and 1973. My career and education took off from there.
"Looking 40-plus years into the future, everything I accomplished was because it began at South Alabama. So I think this is the ultimate of the ultimate for me to be recognized by the school. It catapulted me into my very charmed professional career."
In his two seasons with the Jags, he helped South Alabama to some historic firsts, including the team's first postseason appearance and being a member of the school's first program to be ranked number one in the nation. As an individual, he stands sixth in program history with a .369 batting average and recorded a then-season record 34 stolen bases during his senior season in 1973.
He arrived at South Alabama after a junior college stint.
"I was was playing at Brevard Junior College in my hometown," Rosseau recalled. "Through a local kid at South Alabama, Mark Hoffman, my name got thrown into a pool of recruits they were looking at. Assistant coach Jim Crawford saw me play and gave me a chance to play. I was small type of player who could bunt and hit-and-run. So for Coach Stanky and that program it was a perfect match."
He had other options, but knew South Alabama was the right choice.
"I had other decisions to make, but I thought it was the best one for me if I wanted to pursue a professional contract and get my four-year degree," he said.
Rosseau credits those at South Alabama for where he is today.
"I had many coaches in my life, but at the time he was a former major league player and manager, who was just coming into the college ranks," he said. "He was the most brilliant mind I ever came across as far being able to teach and understand the game. He helped each player develop their own individual talents. Everything I took from there, it was based on the philosophy of South Alabama, Coach Stanky, Coach Crawford and the basic style of ball the Jaguars played. I took it back to Florida and everybody asked me, 'who or where do you give credit to for where you are today?' And I always say the University of South Alabama."
When asked what his most memorable thing about his time at South Alabama was, he didn't hesitate with his answer.
"Learning from the greatest baseball mind in the country," said Rosseau. "Playing for Eddie Stanky, the toughest and best coach I ever had the privilege to play for. He shaped me."
SCWARTZ CREDITS STRUGGLES OVERCOME AT SOUTH AND COACHES FOR WHERE SHE IS TODAY
It was an eye-opening moment for Schwartz when she received the call about being inducted into the hall of fame.
"I was little shocked when [Director of Athletics] Dr. [Joel] Erdmann called me," Schwartz said. "I wasn't sure if I was on the bubble and I didn't expect it this early. I am honored and I'm happy to come back to South Alabama. Since I graduated I haven't been back with my training schedule. It's awesome to represent South and for them to honor me for all of the work I put in."
Schwartz came to South Alabama as a two-sport athlete, but soon realized it was a difficult task.
"There were struggles, but those struggles got me to where I am now," she stated. "I don't think if I had those, I'd be where I am. After my sophomore year, I gave up volleyball to focus on track and that was the turning point to where I got to the national level in the heptathlon.
Looking back on it, was the hardest — but best — part."
A native of Watertown, Wis., Schwartz was a three-time second-team All-American and a five-time Sun Belt Conference champion. She currently is the school record holder in the pentathlon with 3,996 points, and she was on top of the program's all-time list in the the pentathlon until May after scoring 5,614 points.
Schwartz's time at South Alabama helped set her up for a career as a world-class athlete.
"I've made eight national teams including the Pan-Am games," she said. "I'm hoping to make world championships this coming year and hopefully the 2020 Olympics."
She credits her coaches with helping get her where she is today.
"I have to give Paul Brueske a huge thank you because he took a big chance on someone from Wisconsin who wanted to move away from home and play two sports," said Schwartz. "I didn't have an event coach at that time. There were some changes going on that year; he took a chance and I took chance not knowing who my coach was.
"Randy Flach ended up being my coach. Through those five years he ended up being the one who helped me at South get to the national level. We struggled my freshman year. When I gave up volleyball everything began to click. He stayed with me. Together we got to go to some big meets. It was kind of a wake-up call; being a state champion from Wisconsin and then going to the collegiate level is two completely different ballgames. Then he helped me get to a post-collegiate track club in California to continue my career."
Regardless of whether or not she makes the Olympics, she has a lot to look back on.
"I was at the 2012 Trials while I was in college," Schwartz said. "Even if the Olympic gold is the goal, I have to look back and think I've been to Italy and Germany, Canada and all over the United States. I think that is the best part. You make so many connections and friendships from athletes around the world."
Returning to campus for the first time since graduation she has some plans for her mini-vacation.
"I have the football and volleyball games on my radar, but I'm excited to see all the changes," Schwartz observed. "It'll also be nice to see everyone that I haven't seen since I left."
OPPORTUNITY AT SOUTH HELPS FREESE ON PATH TO MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SUCCESS
Getting the call to be inducted into the hall of fame was not just an honor for Freese, it offered an opportunity to look back.
"I was just excited. You start thinking about all your times at South and the avenue you take in life," he said. "When I ended up at South it was a big opportunity for me as a baseball player, as a student and as a person. You keep playing and doing your thing, then you get accepted into the Hall of Fame and it's just a huge honor."
Freese transferred to South after earning second-team National Junior College Athletic Association All-America honors at Meramec (Mo.) C.C., where he hit .396 with 10 home runs and 41 runs batted in as a sophomore in 2004. It was that performance — as well as circumstances the previous two years — that led to his path to Mobile.
"I got hurt my first year in JuCo and missed a full year," he said. "I got healthy for my sophomore year and started playing well, I had some connections to South. I was older, I had quit out of high school for a year and was looking for a spot to start and get some exposure. It seemed like a good fit, with the connections I got a scholarship and off I went."
In two years with the program, he recorded a .394 batting average — which still stands second in school history and third in the Sun Belt Conference record books — with 180 hits including 32 doubles during that stretch. That included batting a league-best .414 with 73 RBI his senior season.
For his efforts Freese was not only voted first-team all-conference and the Sun Belt Player of the Year that spring, he was a first-team all-region and All-America selection by the American Baseball Coaches Association.
His efforts helped the Jaguars win the Sun Belt tournament title his junior year as well as play in an NCAA Regional both of his seasons in the program.
Freese was selected by the San Diego Padres in the ninth round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft in 2006, and after a trade made his Major League debut with his hometown St. Louis Cardinals three years later. In 2011, he was voted the Most Valuable Player of both the National League Championship Series and the World Series after helping the club to win the title; in 18 games that fall, Freese posted eight doubles and five home runs while driving in 21 runs.
He helped the Cardinals return to postseason play each of the next two years and was part of a Los Angeles Angels team that played in the American League Division Series in 2014, making it back to the World Series last month after a late-season trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Freese is proud to acknowledge that his time as a Jaguar played a role in the success he has experienced at the professional level.
"Honestly, being at South has played a huge role," he observed. "I think as a player I evolved immensely with the help of Coach [Steve] Kittrell and Scot Sealy. Rob Reinstetle was a huge influence on me as a hitter going from South into pro ball, he helped me prepare for what I was getting into when I got drafted by San Diego."
But it's not just results that he looks back on when he recalls his days at South. It's the former teammates he continues to be in contact with, including some who will be on hand for this weekend's ceremony.
"I got word that a bunch of my old teammates and buddies that I've kept in touch with are going to be down there, that's what I always think about," said Freese. "Obviously, you think about playing in the regionals, but it's the times that I've spent with my old teammates. That's what I'm going to take away with me after playing ball over the years, just the relationships that I built at South."
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/WeAreSouth_JAGS. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
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