In the Dugout with Wes Schirtzinger – Ohio State Buckeyes
5/22/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 22, 2006
From the time he could barely hold a bat until the day he proposed to his fiancée, Wes Schirtzinger has come a long way to become the man he is today. He gives credit to his dad for putting the bat in his hands as a child and helping him along the way on his path to becoming an Ohio State baseball player. Ever since surgery on his wrist, Schirtzinger has been intrigued how people were able to work their magic and make his wrist better again. He decided to major in exercise science so that one day he could help other people through rehab and conditioning. Upon graduation Schirtzinger plans to get married and would like to pursue a career playing baseball.
Describe your experience in Hawaii winning the NFL Gatorade Punt, Pass & Kick National Championship when you were only 9 years old.
“It was real exciting. It helped me to get ready for big crowds and competing in front of 50,000 to 60,000 people. Being in Hawaii with all the guys was a great time.”
Have you always wanted to follow your dad’s footsteps and play baseball in college?
“When I was growing up, my dad was a real big influence in my life with baseball ever since I could hold a bat. Growing up around it made me want to play Division I like he did (at Bowling Green).”
When it comes to baseball, who is your biggest influence?
“I’d have to say my dad. Whenever I’m not doing well I always go to him for advice. He always critiqued me to help me out in the batting cages and everything else.”
What is your favorite thing about playing baseball?
“The competition. Going in everyday and competing against other teams across the country. It’s a funny game. One day you could be horrible at the plate then the next day, bounce back.”
Why did you choose to be an exercise science major?
“Well, I started out in business but I ended up having surgery on my right wrist my sophomore year. I was just intrigued how people could get me back and ready, so I was trying to figure out how the body works and hopefully I can help other people down the road through rehab programs and such.” What type of job do you hope to pursue?
“Well I was going to go into physical therapy but I found out they just changed it that you now have to get your doctorate. I don’t know if I want to go to school for another five years. But I can still do a lot in the medical field anywhere from a strength and conditioning coach to physical therapy or radiology.”
How did you meet your fiancée, Liz Kaufman?
“She’s actually from Westerville. She went to Westerville South and I went to Westerville North. We kind of knew each other in high school and ended up running into each other at a Subway on campus and it just went from there.”
What are your plans after you graduate from Ohio State?
“Get married. If baseball doesn’t work out for me professionally, hopefully I can do something in exercise science and help people and be an inspiration to people like they were to me during my rehab.”
