BYU students feel pressure in a variety of ways. Pressure can be felt walking into the testing center for a final or when grandparents are asking about marriage prospects. Then there's the special kind of pressure that comes from being the only person in the batter's box with a baseball flying 90 mph straight toward you. Brock Whitney has gotten used to that kind of pressure over the last few years.
Brock Whitney follows through on a swing in a game against San Diego. Photo by Sarah Hill
Whitney sat down with the Universe after BYU baseball senior day to talk about the end of his college career and what the future holds.
What have you learned during your BYU baseball career?
BW: That you are always in the spotlight. There are always people watching. Whether you are doing good (things) or bad (things) people are going to notice. You just try to be an example at all times and try and represent BYU and the Mormon faith.
What is the most memorable moment from your career?
BW: When I was a freshman we were playing St. John's, and it was the 12th inning. I had gone in as a defensive substitution, and my first at-bat I hit a walk-off single to win the game for us.
What has been your favorite part about the BYU and Utah rivalry?
BW: It's always competitive. The game is never over until it's over, and that goes both ways. You grow up playing with and against those guys from when you are little. It's fun to see them and talk to them, but it's always the best to win. I feel that in my career here I've gotten the upper hand.
What has been the hardest part of your career?
BW: The hardest part would probably be the lack of success ... we only got to compete for one conference championship while I was here. The other years we hadn't performed to our abilities, and that's always frustrating.
Has this year been a disappointment?
BW: We obviously thought that we were going to be better. We had that goal of getting into the conference tournament so that we could have an opportunity to go to regionals. I wish I could have done that. If you measure the season by wins and losses, I think this season was a disappointment. But I learned a lot this season and became a lot better player and leader I think ... you would have to ask my teammates to see what they say. So in that sense I don't feel like it has been a disappointment.
What do you hope to do now that your BYU playing career is over?
BW: I hope to get good grades. This semester was tough. I'm looking to go on to dental school and become a dentist and provide for my family that way, so in a perfect world that all works out.
So if drafted, would you pursue a professional baseball career?
BW: Definitely. If I had the opportunity to play professional baseball I would love that opportunity. I would definitely relish the moment and see how far it would take me. My wife, we have kind of talked about it, if the opportunity comes, and that's a big if; she would be very supportive.
What do you think is your biggest accomplishment?
BW: Being named captain two years in a row ... that's something that your teammates vote on, and that's special to me. They either have that trust in me or that hope in me that I could be a leader, that I could help the team in that aspect.
What will you miss most?
BW: Just suiting up and being out there with the guys ... the camaraderie and the friends that you make. I'll definitely miss competing as well, going out there me versus the pitcher.
During Whitney's career he was voted an All West Coast Conference performer by the coaches. During his senior season he was among the team leaders in batting average, home runs, RBI and fielding percentage.