Baseball | 7/31/2020 12:52:00 PM

Name: Mason Logan
Sport: Baseball
Years: 1993-94
 
Mason Logan was a pitcher for the Hornet baseball team from 1993-94 and was a member of Emporia State's first MIAA Championship team and first team to advance to and host an NCAA Regional Tournament.  He started nine games as a senior and led the Hornets with a 2.54-1 strikeout to walk ratio. A Hutchinson, Kan. native and graduate of Nickerson HS, Logan spent two years at Barton CC before transferring to Emporia State.  Since graduation he has worked in the media relations office at Emporia State and the University of Kansas and is currently and Athletic Director and Teacher Assistant at Faith Lutheran Academy in Las Vegas, Nevada.
 
Why did you chose Emporia State?
Several reasons:
1. The commute from my hometown to Emporia was much prettier than the drive to Hays.
2. The ESU baseball program has an amazing tradition-filled history.
3. At the time, I had planned to become a teacher and coach.
 
What was your favorite memory as a student-athlete at Emporia State?
Winning the school's first-ever MIAA championship in any sport.
 
What is your favorite non-sports memory from your days at ESU?
The Dugout, which was right across the street from our apartment complex (shout out to Danny, Paul and Bryan) served free chili dogs on Mondays. For about 30 straight weeks, we raced over there after practice, demolished a king's share of chili dogs and flat beer and would walk back home to play NHL '93 until the sun came up.
 
What is the greatest lesson you learned as a student athlete?
To this day, our pitching coach, TJ (Tim Jarrell), was the most influential and inspirational leader I've ever played for. The greatest lesson he taught me was to treat people the right way and to always work hard, no matter what you're doing. He never asked us to do anything that he wasn't prepared to do himself. These lessons served me well as I started my professional career in the ESU sports information office, working for legendary media relations director, JD Campbell.
 
*Also, nothing good can come from free chili dogs and staying up all night.
 
What advice would you pass along to current student athletes?
Be early. To practice. To classes. To games. Stay focused on your studies, because a career as a professional athlete is not guaranteed. Talk to people face-to-face. Learn to communicate. Make as many solid relationships with people as you can, it'll help you down the road.