After a year away from the classroom, Kyle Martin (2012-15) came back and finished what he started. While his professional baseball career is still in front of him, the former South Carolina All-American first baseman has already taken a huge step for life after baseball by coming back to school through the Carolina Degree Completion program and is earning his degree in mechanical engineering this week.I busted my tail for four years, I might as well get it done now, Martin laughed. Really, Im not sure if anybody in my family graduated from college. Its something Ive prided myself on. I worked really hard to complete something, so I wanted to see it through. I didnt want to take a lot of time off and then come back and not know whats going on. I wanted to come back while it was still fresh in my mind.The Carolina Degree Completion Program is part of the Gamecock Student-Athlete Promise and is for student-athletes who left the university in good academic standing to pursue a professional career, or did not complete their degree due to personal circumstances. The program allows those former student-athletes to apply to be readmitted to come back to campus and finish their degree. They have all of the resources that are offered to undergraduate students such as tutoring, laptops, and use of the Dodie Academic Enrichment Center.Its a great opportunity, Martin said of the program. To have that degree means a lot. It opens doors.After earning First Team All-American and First Team All-SEC honors as a senior, Martin was selected in the fourth round of the 2015 Major League Baseball Draft by Philadelphia and played his first full season in high A baseball in Clearwater, Florida, this past year.It definitely would have been more difficult if I waited longer to come back to school, Martin said. It took me about three weeks to get adjusted to it all again. Once I got back into the routine, it all started coming back. Its been a long road. I took a Creo Parametric class this semester, which is full of design. I thought that was one of the coolest parts of my four-plus years here.Martin noted that coming back was tough, but fulfilling. With his father being a mechanical engineer, Martin grew up doing a lot of puzzles and working a lot of math problems which created an interest in the field. Martin had become close with one of his professors, Dr. Michael Sutton, during his playing days with the Gamecocks, and he had encouraged him to complete his degree after staying in touch while playing professional baseball.He sits on the third base line during all of our games, Martin recalled. He and I hit it off, and every now and then I would go into his office just to talk. He went over the classes I had to take, and he really helped me out to get back into it. (Athletics Director) Coach (Ray) Tanner helped me out, and so did (Senior Associate AD/Academics and Student Development) Maria Hickman over at the Dodie. Everybody was helpful.Martin enjoyed some great memories as a Gamecock, including going to the College World Series as a freshman, as well as playing in front of a capacity crowd at Founders Park when South Carolina hosted Clemson.Beating Clemson at home my freshman year was one of my best memories, Martin said. It was so crowded. I loved it. There were a lot of memories my senior year as well. I hit my first walk-off home run (against Kentucky), and I hit for the cycle (at Florida). There are a lot of memories.Martin understands the importance of earning his degree because he knows there is a time when hell have to step out from between the white lines of the baseball field.It might not hit me at first, but I know one day when baseball is over and I really get to use my degree, its going to mean even more, Martin said. I know it means a lot to my parents. Theyve given me so much help and encouragement. Its been a lot of long nights and a long journey, but I know deep down that its going to be heartwarming to know I put the work in and got it done.Now that the coursework is done, Martin looks forward to putting in the work in pursuit of his professional baseball career at Spring Training in March.
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Bill Mazeroski Pirates Jersey . Those lessons were more than enough to overwhelm the Utah Jazz. Lou Williams scored 25 points and the Hawks continued their offensive upswing as they rolled to an easy 118-85 victory over the Jazz on Friday night, winning their third straight and for the fourth time in five games. OXFORD, Ohio -- Michael Weathers scored 19 points; Logan McLane added 17 and Miami (Ohio) beat Western Illinois 81-72 on Saturday.Weathers shot just 4 of 15 from the floor but made 10 of 13 free throws. McLane was 5 of 10 from the field, made 7 of 8 from the line and grabbed nine rebounds. Jake Wright chipped in 15 points on 5-of-5 shooting from 3-point range for Miami (3-3).Garret Covington scored 29 points to lead Western Illinois (2-4). Mike Miklusak had 14 points and 11 reboounds.dddddddddddd C.J. Duff added 12 points.The game was tied 60-60 midway through the second half when Abdoulaye Harounas 3-pointer sparked an 11-1 spurt to give the RedHawks a 71-61 lead with five minutes left. The Leathernecks cut the deficit to five points twice in the final minute but didnt get closer.It was the first meeting between the schools. ' ' '
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