Meet Gloucester alum, Averett baseball player Brandt Brophy
GLOUCESTER, Va. — Hard work and steadfast dedication have partnered up well for college junior Brandt Brophy. From the childhood fields of Gloucester Youth Baseball onto years as a teenager with the Gloucester High School Dukes and now into adulthood as a collegiate level baseball player with Averett University, this former Gloucester Allstar is proof that athleticism is important, but determination is just as powerful.
Brandt has his sights set on continuing even further as an athlete and keeps pushing himself to accomplish goals along the way, including being recognized as Freshman of the Week twice on his team and making Second Team All Conference in his sophomore year. He shares, 鈥淚 am in hopes to become All American.鈥�
To reach that goal, Brandt focuses on managing challenges that might come along the way鈥� the biggest one being the mental part of the game each time he steps onto the field as starting shortstop. He has found the best way to face any challenge is to remember that his own skills and passion have taken him to where he is today. 鈥淭o manage the mental obstacles of the game, I stay confident and trust my athletic ability,鈥� Brandt says.
Getting to the collegiate level has presented Brandt with a multitude of advice and coaches along the way. He acknowledges that the encouragement of his mentors and coaches is key to how he has and continues to be successful. He says, 鈥淪ome of the best advice I have been given is to forget the past and focus on the present. And to also keep trust in my natural athleticism.鈥�
Although he is truly confident as a player, Brandt still needs to stay in the zone as he prepares and readies himself for each game. He has found a pregame routine that, while simple, works very effectively for him. Brandt explains, 鈥淏efore every game, I want to stay the same in how I get ready so I will hit off the tee and do some glove work.鈥�
Over the years, being a part of a team has been one of the things that Brandt loves most about his sport. 鈥淭he bond I鈥檝e built with my teammates is important to me. Being a member of a team has taught me to be a leader not a follower,鈥� says Brandt.
His coaches recognize that ability to lead that has come to Brandt over time as an individual player and a compassionate teammate. Averett Baseball Assistant Coach, Billy McLaughlin, shares, “Brandt has come a long way as a player and a leader during his time at Averett. He attacks every challenge head on with infectious intensity. We look for players who we have to
slow down, not speed up, and Brandt is a perfect example. He is always looking for ways to improve and wants to bring his teammates up with him”.
Even highly focused athletes need downtime to help them take a break from the mental challenges that exist. When he has free time outside of practice sessions and training, frequent games and academic responsibilities, Brandt enjoys boating and the beach and even uses his off time to build his strength by going to the gym.
Brandt鈥檚 family has seen him grow and challenge himself in his eight years within his sport. His grandfather, Brian Cole, says, “I’ve watched Brandt mature into a fine young man, with a solid work ethic and who’ll comfortably take the initiative when needed. Those are the qualities of a leader. I’m very proud of him.”
Part of being seen as a leader and learning life lessons beyond the field is being able to identify mistakes and improve from them. Brandt recalls one of his own moments of struggle, 鈥淚 struck out with runners on second and third bases because I was trying to hit a home run 鈥� I realized I was going big and not just hitting the ball to get the runners to the next base.鈥�
Brandt, like many athletes, is a prime example of how being talented does not ensure that someone is given the easy path towards accomplishment. In fact, being a part of a team, taking chances and learning from failures has pushed him even harder to see the bigger picture of what matters in being successful.
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