Home: Foxborough, Massachusetts

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Three words that describe your experience at Northeastern

Challenging. Stimulating. Gratifying.

Why Northeastern?

I took courses at Northeastern through the MLB scholarship program, made available to professional players who hadn’t completed a bachelor’s degree, and it was truly a great experience. I was drafted by the New York Yankees out of a prep school in Connecticut (Salisbury School) at 19 years old and chose to forgo my original commitment to pitch at Clemson. The convenience and support the staff at Northeastern provided, both to me and to other players, in the online format was second to none. It was a huge help after being away from any academic setting for several years.

What was the biggest challenge you faced before Northeastern?

Overcoming five surgeries in professional baseball, and the emotional roller coaster that came with them, was difficult. But so much good came out of it too. I formed relationships I wouldn’t have otherwise formed. I learned about things in depth, medically, physically, psychologically, that I wouldn’t have otherwise learned. And I pushed myself forward in ways I wasn’t previously aware I could.

What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned at Northeastern?

The most valuable thing I’ve learned so far is that I have interests outside the scope of sports. That may sound simple, but when you spend most of your life tied to one thing, trying to be the best athlete you can possibly be, you’re sometimes unaware of what you enjoy outside of that. That’s not to say I won’t gravitate back toward sports in the future, through coaching or another avenue, but taking these courses and meeting people through Northeastern has shown me there’s a plethora of other things that pique my interest. I’m grateful for the opportunity both the MLB and Northeastern have given me.

“Taking some of these courses and meeting some of the people through Northeastern has demonstrated to me that there is a plethora of other things that pique my interest.”

Austin DeCarr

Where do you see yourself five years from now?

I’ve always disliked these kinds of questions. So much is out of our control, professionally and personally, and things can change on a dime. I really don’t know exactly where I’ll be. But I know what I’ll want from myself regardless: to be working hard at something I truly love to do, to be healthy, and to be bringing joy and success to both myself and the people around me.

What motivates you?

Human potential motivates me, and the belief that any person is capable of creating positive change on a large scale. There’s a misconception that people are either born with certain skills or they’re not, either “driven” or “lazy,” “smart” or “not intelligent.” People clearly have aptitudes for certain things, but I think they’re often capable of far more than they let themselves believe. That’s true in any arena of life, and it motivates me to think and act bigger. Anyone can think big, but action is what creates real change.

“Anyone can think big, but action creates true change.”

Austin DeCarr