Brandon Pick '08: Baseball
Senior righty Brandon Pick, a native of East Williston, N.Y., missed most of his junior season with the baseball team because of injury, but he should be back to bolster the bullpen in his senior campaign. One of the most vocal fans of Brandeis athletics, learn more about him in this Seven Questions profile.
1) What has been the highlight of your athletic career so far?
The first time I stepped on the mound for Brandeis. It was the first game of the season my freshmen year against Rochester. Coach Varney had me warmup to pitch the 9th, we were losing 3-2, I came in and replaced Lambo [Brian Lambert '06], my heart was beating about 7 feet out of my chest. Thankfully I got out of the inning unscathed. Pitching after [Tim] Dunphy ['06] and Lambo, the best two pitchers at Brandeis in recent years, was definitely an exciting moment.
2) What makes your team special?
Diversity, friendship, and tradition would be the first words that come to my mind. College athletics are unique. It’s the first time in your life you’re playing on a team with people from so many different areas. Our team alone has people from all over the country and even one player from Israel. It was nice to walk in as freshmen and no matter your background you already have 30 friends who are willing to got to war with you even though they barely met you. You make life long friends within the first day of being at Brandeis. Being able to battle with your best friends during every Yankees/Red Sox game is one of the most exhilarating experiences you can have. Coach Varney has established an unprecedented tradition and each and every player works hard every day to maintain this image. We also have our fair share of fun as well.
3) How do your experiences on the court translate to the class room/world?
My ultra-competitive nature and work ethic allow me to structure my studies so I can excel academically. I can spend as much as five hours a day down between practice and working-out and if I did not have work ethic to push my self on the field it would translate to laziness with my academics too. In addition to classes I am currently studying for several finance tests to become a licensed financial advisor and without the drive baseball has instilled in me I doubt if I would be able to put in the time in addition to my regular work. Playing a collegiate sport translates into a plethora of positive lessons in life and come in handy more then one would think.
4) What is your favorite class and why?
Far and away, Functions of the Capitalist Enterprise, it was the most intriguing class and exciting class I’ve taken at Brandeis. Professor [Edward] Bayone’s eclectic and enthusiastic teaching style lets every student participate and encourages him/her to think outside the box to come up with business solutions for the companies studied in our many case studies. He was able to stimulate my mind and enabled me to think in a way I never did before. I took the class during a day where I had class from 10-5 and even with 7 hours of class, I looked forward to this hour and twenty minutes every time.
5) What is your favorite non-athletic activity at Brandeis and why?
My favorite activity at Brandeis is one that just finished its inaugural campaign. Relay for Life, a walk to benefit cancer research, was an exciting and special event that has begun at Brandeis. This is the one event in my time at Brandeis that has bought the whole community together at one time. Athletes, non-athletes, and staff all joined forces with a common goal. I look forward to the expansion of the event and being able to donate in the future.
6) What are your aspirations after Brandeis?
I will be working as a financial advisor for Ameriprise Financial starting in July. After gaining enough experience in the financial advising field I would like to go to school for a CFP. Certified Financial Planner, CFP, is the equivalent of an MBA but in the financial advising world. I ultimately am striving to be a small business owner by owning a financial advising firm in the future.
7) What is something surprising we might not know about you?
I am a conservative member of the Jewish faith, but went to high school at a catholic school. While in high school I was class president my senior year and won a respect for life award given out by the diocese of Rockville Centre.