CORVALLIS, Ore. – Heading into the 2020-21 year, 24 student-athletes were named to the Cascade Collegiate Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), representing their schools.
Brooks Juhasz is one of the two representatives from Lewis-Clark State College. The senior on the Warrior baseball team lived in Huntington Beach, Calif., until his family moved to Eagle, Idaho prior to his senior year. The right-handed pitcher then found a school not too far from home to continue his playing and academic careers.
“I chose LCSC because it was the perfect fit for me to work to achieve my goals both in the classroom and on the field,” said Juhasz.
Juhasz has found success both in the classroom and on the field, being on the Dean’s or President’s list every term. He transferred to Lewis-Clark State from Blue Mountain Community College, where he earned the McCrae Award (Male Student-Athlete of the Year).
“In the classroom it has been awesome watching my hard work payoff,” said Juhasz. “I have been on the Dean’s or President’s list every term since entering college and it is very rewarding to see my name on those lists. Athletically, my greatest achievement so far has been being named the 2019 student-athlete of the year at my junior college. It was a great achievement, but the best has yet to come as far as athletic experiences go.”
Juhasz understands the demands being a student-athlete can have, especially on an elite team like LCSC, which consistently receives votes in the NAIA top-25 poll.
“Being a student-athlete is demanding because it feels as if some days will never stop,” said Juhasz. “Weights before class, class throughout the day, practice after class, rehab after the practice – nothing compares to the daily schedule of a student-athlete. Being a student-athlete requires a good effort and a good attitude if you want to be successful.”
Prior to the 2020 season, LCSC was the unanimous choice to win the conference. Unfortunately, COVID-19 cut the season short, but Juhasz is excited to get back to work.
“COVID-19 has disrupted my schedule like no other,” said Juhasz. “Balancing class and athletics is tough, but balancing the two while also doing daily screenings, and having limited access to both educational and athletic facilities is a whole new ballgame. Just like every other person in this country, I just want to see things go back to normal sooner rather than later.”
The English Secondary Education major hopes to become a high school principal and a high school baseball coach after graduating Lewis-Clark State.
“I had a principal at my high school that was extremely influential on my life,” said Juhasz. “I watched her save countless students that had no business graduating. I want to help students the same way she has helped them over the years.”
Juhasz has also found some very influential people at LC State.
“The head coach of the baseball team, Jake Taylor, is a huge influence in my life,” said Juhasz. “He always seems to be doing things the right way and is a great mentor. An education professor, Bill Hayne, is another man that I look up to because he is a great leader of future educators that come through LCSC.”
When not playing baseball or studying, Juhasz loves to hang out with his teammates, like playing ping pong or other games.
Juhasz is in his second year as a SAAC rep for LC State, but first in the Cascade Collegiate Conference. The Warriors recently became full members of the CCC after previously only competing in the conference in baseball.
“As a member of the CCC-SAAC I hope to be a part of progress for both Lewis-Clark State College and the Cascade Collegiate Conference,” said Juhasz. “To go along with making changes for the better, this year in particular, I hope the CCC-SAAC can help provide a solution for balancing athletic competition in the face of this pandemic.”