Things were moving along just fine for Rick O’Dette at his alma mater, St. Joseph’s College in Renssselaer, Indiana when he got the news that there would be no more baseball program after the 2017 season. Not only would there be no more baseball, there would be no more school. This fine school, which had been around for more than 125 years, would be no more. Financial difficulties have brought things to a close. Not only did Coach O’Dette have to help find new homes for 35 non-senior players, but this also meant that he and his family would be looking for a place to land. And talk about a landing! The O’Dette’s have landed on their feet at Saint Leo University in the baseball friendly state of Florida!
In this episode, Coach O’Dette discusses the reasons behind the closure of St. Joe’s, the impact on the people in the program, how all 32 players who wanted to continue playing found a place, how “baseball people” took care of “baseball people”, how the season played out after the announcement, his last meeting with the team, his new gig at St. Leo University in Florida, competing in arguably the best D2 conference in the country, brushing up on a skill he hasn’t had to use (interviewing!), how the internet has changed the way many things are done, and expectations at the new school.
Listen to our interview with Coach O’Dette while he was head coach at St. Joseph’s (IN) – episode 149.
Notable quotes:
- “The challenge to go against the best in the country is why you wake up and coach.”
- “The good part is that you can do everything from your computer. The bad part is that you can do everything from your computer. “
Follow St. Leo Baseball on Twitter.
Follow Rick O’Dette on Twitter.
photo credit: St. Joseph’s College
Intro Music: Matt’s Blues, Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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