A pair of Council Rock North seniors – Nick Donofry and Jared Weed – signed letters of intent to accept scholarships to play baseball at the collegiate level. Additional photos can be found in the Photo Gallery under School Events & Signings.
Nick Donofry – Bloomsburg University (Baseball)
Major: Secondary Education – Mathematics
Final list of colleges: Bloomsburg, Shippensburg, Millersville
Reasons for choosing Bloomsburg: “It was a good fit academically and athletically, and I love the campus.”
When did the idea of competing at the collegiate level become a reality? “During my sophomore year, I competed at the varsity level and had some success.”
What was your biggest accomplishment as a baseball player? “Overcoming an injury that forced me to sit out my entire junior year and having a full recovery and being able to pitch successfully this fall for my fall team.”
What was the progression that led from a potentially devastating injury to a scholarship? “My sophomore season I was pitching for the varsity team, and my arm was fine. My mechanics were a little different – I was throwing side-armed. During the summer, I noticed my arm would swell up, and I wouldn’t be able to bend it, but I didn’t really think anything of it, and I just iced it.
“The following season it continued to happen. I pitched in our first scrimmage, and I couldn’t take the pain. I couldn’t bend my arm. It was swollen and stuck at a 90-degree angle. I had an MRI, and they said I had a lot of minor tears of the ulnar collateral ligament. They told me I had tennis elbow, and if it was bad enough, it would require Tommy John surgery. The doctor told me it wasn’t a complete tear. It was a very minor one – they considered it a strain, and I didn’t require surgery. I just needed to rehab until the summer.
“Midway through the summer, I started playing American Legion Baseball. I wasn’t allowed to pitch, but I was allowed to field and hit.”
How did you manage to get recruited after being sidelined from February until August? “My brother, Tony Donofry, plays for Bloomsburg, so I was very familiar with the program. The coach saw me pitch my sophomore season.
“In the fall, I tried out for a team at the Big League Academy, and I made the team. That was my first time pitching, and I was very successful, and I was fortunate Bloomsburg was there to watch me, and it worked out in the end.
“I was actually very nervous. I didn’t think I would be recruited at all. I didn’t have many schools looking at me. I figured I would have to pull something off big time in the spring, but in the showcases and tournaments I played in, I was fortunate – I was very successful and executed what needed to be done.
“It was really emotional for me and my parents because I had to work hard and get through the obstacles. I am really thankful for everything.”
Coach Dan Kusters says: “Nick is athletic, and he works hard at his position. He is also a solid student and takes pride in his academics. On and off the field, he is a leader. He will be a great addition to Bloomsburg, not only as an athlete, but also as a student and as a member of the community.
“Both Jared and Nick have evolved into strictly pitchers, although they’re pretty good athletes and probably could play other positions. To really help out the team and where their future might be, they’re really focusing on pitching.”
Jared Weed – Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Baseball)
Major: BusinessFinal list of colleges: IUP, East Stroudsburg, Millersville, Bloomsburg
Reasons for choosing IUP: “I really liked the coach at IUP, the business program, the baseball program and the campus. It was the right fit for me.
“They said I would have an opportunity to pitch non-league games, league games as a freshman – wherever I fit in. How I do my first couple of games will determine my role.”
When did the idea of playing collegiate baseball become a reality? “I always wanted to play college baseball, and I realized the summer of my sophomore year I probably would be able to play. I was throwing pretty hard.
“In February of last year, I did pretty good at a couple of showcases and had a couple of coaches contact me. I didn’t think I would ever really get a scholarship because I was always small, but I got taller and bigger. It’s a dream come true to play at the next level.”
Coach Dan Kusters says: “Jared is exceptionally competitive and enjoys challenges. He puts in his time in the weight room. Regarding pitching, he has a strong arm and competes when he is on the hill. I think IUP is a great choice for him; he has a chance to make immediate contributions there.
“Both Jared and Nick are very intelligent ball players, and they do well academically. They understand not just throwing but also pitching, hitting spots, having command of their pitches, changing speeds and moving the ball around. The most important attribute for both guys is they’re exceptional, exceptional competitors. I think Jared Weed is possibly the greatest competitor on the team. He just despises not performing well, just despises losing.”
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