Doubling up his success on the diamond and in the classroom over the course of his career at Heidelberg University has been Steve Decker. Decker sets a great example for everyone that he comes in contact with and for his hard work and dedication he has been named the Ohio Athletic Conference Scholar-Athlete for the month of May.
Decker has balanced his academics maintaining a 3.55 grade point average, along with being the starting catcher for a national-caliber baseball team that he has helped win three OAC Regular Season Championships and a two OAC Tournament Titles. During his junior year he was named to the All-OAC Second Team, ESPN the Magazine All-District IV Academic Second Team and All-Academic OAC First Team. As a sophomore he landed a spot on the All-OAC list. Along, with baseball, he is a member of the Berg’s Enterprise Research Group (B.E.R.G) and the Marketing Search Committee. Over the last four years he has been a mainstay on the Dean’s List and been a Heidelberg William Landess Scholar-Athlete.
As a student-athlete Decker recognizes the importance school and athletics have on an individual. “Being a student-athlete begins first with the student part. Working hard in the classroom will translate to whatever sport you play. This hard work carries over into athletics and helps provide the discipline and leadership necessary to contribute the most of your athletic abilities to your team.”
Decker’s hard work paid off last summer when he landed an internship with the Detroit Tigers which was a life changing experience for him. “Being able to work each day in the front office of the Detroit Tigers taught me many valuable business skills that will be beneficial for any job experience in my future.”
All his efforts have not gone unnoticed by members of the Heidelberg community, especially the baseball coaching staff. “Steve is a great person,” said Matt Palm, head baseball coach. “He is a leader on and off the field and has worked very hard to get where he is today.” Last month he received Heidelberg’s Sayger Award which is presented to a female and male student-athlete that is most likely to succeed. Adding to his success will be graduating this month with a double major in business administration and sports management, while playing baseball.
“It means a lot to earn Scholar-Athlete of the Month in the prestigious Ohio Athletic Conference,” said Decker. “I will give all the credit to my coaches, teammates and most importantly my parents. With their support and determination, my successes on and off the field have followed.”