In the Dugout with Jacob Howell – Ohio State Buckeyes
5/9/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 9, 2006
Jacob Howell has many goals for the Buckeyes this season. As a junior co-captain, he feels it is his role, along with fellow captains Dan DeLucia and Jedidiah Stephen, to help lead the team to these great heights. As a freshman, he was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year, but he missed significant playing time last season and part of this year with injury. Despite his absence, the Buckeyes are in the hunt for a Big Ten championship. Baseball, however, is only one of many diverse passions for him. The Ashland, Ohio native plays the piano by ear and enjoys reading classical literature. Howell, an outfielder, values both his opportunity to play baseball for and obtain a degree from Ohio State. A communication major and English minor, success both on and off the field is not just a priority, it is a privilege.
What are your goals for the Buckeyes this season?
“In our lockers we each have a poster. It says ‘nothing less’ and has a picture of the Big Ten ring. In the long run, we know we can make it to Omaha. But there are things we have to do a long the way to make that possible. We need to win the Big Ten championship and play in a regional game. I think if we can play in those things well, the rest will just follow.”
What do you consider your role on the team to be?
“As a captain, I think my role on the team to be a leader both on and off the field. I mean, it’s always important to act well on the field, but when someone sees you acting in a manner that reflects positively on the team off the field, I think that reflects differently. I also want to be there for my teammates. I love all the guys and I hope that they respect me and know me well enough to come to me for anything.”
Your roommate is fellow Buckeye Jedidiah Stephen, who is graduating this year. How will that change things for you?
“This is my third year living with Jed, so it’s going to be tough without him. I see him everyday when I go home. He’s a character. I know he’s going to do well in anything he does. He’s one of my best friends and I would help him out with anything. I hope he knows I would do the same for him.”
As a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, what do you attribute to your academic success?
“My parents instilled at a very young age how important education is. I really value learning and higher education. I enjoy learning, so I like to put an effort into my studies. I’m very much here to play baseball, but to be able to get an education is great. I consider it a privilege to attend college and develop my mental abilities.”
What made you decide to pursue a communication degree?
“I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to get into at first. I knew I could rule out math and science because they bore me. I decided to go into communications because I wanted to develop relationships with different people. I also wanted to learn how to communicate a message effectively.”
Playing piano is one of your hobbies. How did you start playing?
“My grandma taught me when I was younger, sort of. I can’t read music so it was really hard trying to learn from her. I really picked it up in high school. I just started to teach myself by ear. My aunt just bought a baby grand piano and I try to go over there whenever I can. Playing lets me completely relax and just get away from everything. It’s one of my passions.”
Does playing the piano affect what type of music you listen to?
“Absolutely. I love to listen to the type of music I like to play. Coldplay and U2 influence me because I love to listen to melodic music. I like beautiful music. I enjoy all types of music, but it really depends on how I’m feeling. I like hip hop, but I also enjoy listening to Mozart.”
What are your other hobbies outside of baseball and the piano?
“I love reading for pleasure. It’s tough during the season because we are always traveling and there’s a strong emphasis on studying and classes. I’m an English minor, so reading is another one of my passions. I really enjoy classic literature.”
As an English major and enjoying classic literature, do you like studying the books you read for pleasure in class?
“It’s neat because you might read a book for pleasure and then have to read it for a class. It gives you the chance to go back through the book with a professor and understand all the little intrigues in the book.”
