University of Massachusets Athletics
Chown Leading Minutemen On The Mound
May 14, 2004 | Baseball
May 14, 2004
By Michael Coyne
The Maroon & White
Getting a degree, setting school records, leaving a long lasting impression on an athletic program and moving on to the professional ranks of your sport have to be among the highest goals any student-athlete can strive to achieve during their time at a university. But to accomplish those things after not playing your senior year in high school, and starting off at UMass as a walk-on, has to make that accomplishment even more surreal. In the case of senior righthanded pitcher Eric Chown, that's exactly how his story has been scripted.
Hailing from Fall River, Mass., the 6'6", 212-pounder did not even play baseball his senior year at Durfee High School. Coming to UMass in the fall of 1999, he made the baseball team as a walk-on, redshirting his first season. Since that time, not only will Chown receive his undergraduate degree in Hotel, Restaurant & Travel Administration at the end of May, but he ranks among the top-five pitchers in UMass baseball history with more than 235 innings pitched and more than 55 appearances. He is also among the top 10 all-time leaders in complete games, totaling 13 through the first weekend in May.
Chown credits a great deal of his success to a conditioning program which he takes very seriously. Modeling himself after righthanded workhorse Roger Clemens, he is always doing what he has to do, and then some.
"I believe very strongly that if you want to be able to pitch well, and you want to be able to go that extra mile when you need it, you have to prepare yourself more," said the 2003 second team All-Atlantic 10 Conference selection. "Because if you are not preparing yourself more, then there is always going to be someone out there who is doing that extra preparation. That is the kind of mind set that I have. If I am not doing it, there is going to be someone else out there who is doing it, and they are going to outperform me, which I obviously do not want to happen."
In watching Clemens, Chown specifically picks up his style of pitching, the way he approaches the game mentally, and his tough attitude. "You can tell he is a competitor, and that is the type of attitude I would like to show. I also look at other guys who have been really successful and have lasted a long time, like Nolan Ryan and Curt Schilling. They all have tremendous work ethic, and I truly believe that is why they have been around as long as they have. It is what really has pushed me to bring my game to the next level, and to push myself hard when ever I work out."
That work ethic has not gone unnoticed by his teammates either. "He is really strict and disciplined when it comes to that stuff," said junior starting centerfielder Derrick Durepo. "Even down to his eating, he really sets a good example for people on the team. He may not be the most vocal person, but his actions definitely speak louder than words." Some of his teammates have even chided him about how serious he is to his workouts.
Head coach Mike Stone sees no room for laughter when talking about Chown and has lauded the senior's commitment to staying in shape. "No question his work ethic is the best on the pitching staff, if not tops on the team," said Stone. "The guys on the team should not be giving him a hard time about anything, they should try to be more like him. Especially from where he started, to put himself in the position he is in, it is a great story."
Chown retorts that Stone has also been tremendous in his development, especially in the way he looks at the game of baseball. "Coach Stone has a great style of coaching, he pushes the team hard, and it is a great way to approach the game. It brings out the best in people. He takes things very seriously and pushes the team very hard. I would not believe in anything less than that. He really challenges people to put their best forth, and does not want to accept anything less, which I think is a great way to bring the best out in people. As a younger guy, I wanted to prove to everyone, including the coaches, that I was worthy of being out there and respected.
"I am satisfied to have obtained my position as the team's No. 1 starting pitcher," continued Chown. "But as far as a getting better, I do not think I will ever be satisfied. I have this insatiable urge to get better all the time. I am always expecting more of myself, and if I do well after a good performance, I look at what I could have done better. I think that is the kind of attitude that makes you progress. A never-say-die attitude."
Chown also tries to instill the mentality of what it takes to win collegiate baseball games to the younger pitchers like sophomore righthander Matt Torra. "The younger guys take things for granted - I know I did as an underclassman. They do not see the whole big picture, but I was lucky because I had upperclassmen who really pushed me and challenged me to be better. I feel like I have tried to instill that same mentality in our younger pitchers who are coming up through the system. Getting them to understand the importance of the Atlantic 10 games is very serious. High school teams take it for granted that you are going to win, but it does not just happen here - you have to battle and step up your play. It is a big step from the high school to the collegiate level."
Following the success Chown had during his first three seasons with the Minutemen, he had the option of signing with Atlanta last spring. Chown was selected in the 38th round of the 2003 draft (1,147th overall), but turned down the Braves to come back to UMass. "I have always wanted to win an Atlantic 10 Championship, and it has eluded us the whole time I have been here, so that was also a big factor in coming back. We had a lot of talent on the team, and we have a great chance this season. As far as the draft goes, finishing my school work was important and the sensible thing to do. I was grateful to be selected, and hopeful that I will be again after our season is over. Even if professional baseball does not work out, I will have my education to fall back on."
Chown continued by recapping, "I came to UMass with a lot of uncertainty, but it has worked out really well for me. I have worked my way up the ladder, getting the starting position I had hoped for. The coaching staff has been really good giving me an opportunity to prove myself, and it has been great. I ended up pitching in conference games, and really appreciate it. I am grateful for the fact that I was given the opportunity to prove myself. There is no doubt in my mind that the decision to come to UMass was the right decision."
In touching upon his statistical accomplishments to date, Chown says he tries not to focus on them. "The thing about pitching complete games is that it really takes a whole team effort. If you are pitching well, that is great. But you need players who you feel confident in to make the plays behind you, in order to go that full distance". Of course having an all-senior infield has to be a tremendous advantage as well. "The seniors in our infield are great. I have 100 percent confidence in them, and I would not want to be out on the field with any other eight guys."
Even the reasoning behind why he wears the No. 30 out on the mound is interesting. "I do not believe that the number makes the man, I believe the man makes the number. So when I came to UMass, I really did not have any specific number that I was requesting, I just took the number that they gave me." The accomplishments of No. 30 have certainly been noted, but he also knows at this point, it is all about winning. "I have always wanted to win an Atlantic 10 Championship, and am hopeful that this is the year." Already a champion on and off the field, the Atlantic 10 prize would certainly be a fitting way, to end a fittingly remarkable career.
This story was originally published in The Maroon & White.
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