Marco Valenzuela '16 Recruiting Profile

Playing baseball at the next level has been a long-term goal of mine. Having a good college experience is also very important to me, with a vibrant campus life, and rigorous academics. I think of myself as being a physically and mentally strong athlete. I am always looking for ways to improve my team while getting better myself with extra workouts and early morning commitments. Academically, I believe I am motivated to work hard and challenge myself with every class. I hope to major in Kinesiology, focusing on physical therapy or athletic training, eventually making it a profession after my athletic career.

Along with baseball, I value my contributions in giving back to my community. I use the skills I've acquired from taking charge behind the plate to help lead and take part in several community service projects with my Church Youth Group. In 2012 we traveled to Jamaica to help build a church and community center in an area of poverty and provided the children of the area with a week of activities. This past summer, 2015, our group traveled to Baja, California, helping families of migrant farm workers.

These experiences have allowed me to take part in different types of teamwork outside of sports, being able to work alongside people of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds, working towards a goal of bettering the lives of others.