Featured Silver Hawk - David Nick
Nick's journey began at a very young age in his own backyard. His father, Tom, played baseball at Long Beach State in the '80s and has been instrumental in Nick's upbringing as a baseball player.
"Ever since I was three years old he put a bat in my hand," said Nick. "He was always there throwing me batting practice. He's still able to throw; even this last offseason he threw to me a lot."
As Nick's career advanced he competed with and against some of the best young talent in the nation. Cypress High School alone has produced former big leaguer Troy O'Leary, 2002 eighth overall pick Scott Moore, and 2007 third overall pick Josh Vitters. Maturing around so many great players in a baseball hotbed has helped Nick's development as a player considerably.
"It's definitely a blessing having grown up in Orange County," said Nick. "It made me a lot better of a player being able to play against solid competition all year round."
High school baseball brought lots of national recognition for Nick. He won a 2009 Rawlings High School Gold Glove Award and was offered a scholarship to play baseball at UCLA. However, Nick's favorite honor was wearing a jersey with 'USA' across his chest for the 18U National Team that won a silver medal at the 2008 International Baseball Federation's AAA World Junior Championship.
"I couldn't really describe it," said Nick. "The first time I looked in the mirror was pretty awesome."
After giving thought to accepting the scholarship offer, Nick realized that it was his "passion to play pro baseball" and signed with the Diamondbacks. After spending last season in Missoula playing rookie ball, Nick came to South Bend to start the 2010 campaign.
As a Silver Hawk, Nick also continues to build upon his strong faith. Seeing his prayers on the field before games, various people in the South Bend community have contacted Nick to show their support. Theological conversations between Nick and his teammates in the clubhouse are also common occurrences.
"It's an awesome experience just to use the talents and abilities that God gives me to bring glory to Him and let that shine for other people to see," Nick said.
Nick will undoubtedly pick up more experiences and life lessons during his time in South Bend that will continue to shape him as a baseball player and person.
The David Nick File
- Position: 2B
- Height: 6'2''
- Weight: 180
- Bats/Throws: R/R
- Born: February 3rd, 1990 in Newport Beach, California
- Resides: Cypress, California
- Obtained: Selected in the 4th Round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft
Fast Facts
- Favorite Player Growing Up: "David Wright"
- Favorite Food: "Chipotle"
- Favorite Hobby: "Surfing, Playing the drums"
- Favorite Movie: "The Natural and Dumb + Dumber"
- Favorite Book: "The Bible"
- Favorite Quote: "Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in God." - Augustine
- If I wasn't playing baseball I'd be... "going to college, working with kids in special education