University of Minnesota Athletics
Silent Assassin; Senior Outfielder Scott Howard
5/8/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Don't look for Howard to be dishing out advice to his younger teammates in the dugout, and when emotions are at a stand still, don't look for him to be pumping everyone one up. An admittedly shy person, Howard knows that his best leadership is portrayed on the field. "I speak with my actions more. I'm not a loud person, although at team meetings I've begun to speak up because I am a senior. But I like to show others when I'm out there on the field."
When Howard does comment, his teammates listen. After playing for the Golden Gophers in now his fifth season, Scott has too much experience under his belt to ignore. From the top of the conference, winning two Big Ten Tournament titles and a Big Ten regular season title during his career, to the lows of hitting slumps and personal injury, he has dealt with a variety of different situations and come out on top. He knows that becoming a better player and building a stronger team depends upon taking what has happened and applying the lessons learned from it. "I bring a lot of experience to this team. The five seniors do." Howard remarked. "I've played in the tough games and environments, facing all different types of teams. Experience has helped, definitely this year too, showing we can carry the Gophers and the tradition that goes with the program."
Howard also knows through experience that coming into a season, a team and individual players have to place goals beyond just the competitive desire to win. By focusing on heading toward a specific achievement, the team bonds and makes each other stronger while as a whole pushing forward to achieve. "I think the goal for the team, most importantly this season, was to win the Big Ten Championship. Especially with the five seniors that have been around for so long, it would be nice to win it again while we're all together.
"Personally, my goal is to make it on to the All-Big Ten team," Scott commented. "I had a down year and wasn't healthy. Just staying healthy is a big goal."
Adapting to change is something every athlete coming into a program must deal with. Howard understands what being versatile is all about. Although reluctant at first, he moved from his usual position of infield (third base throughout his high school career) to the outfield. He came to the "U" as an infield player and saw some time for Minnesota at second, but to maintain a place in the lineup, Howard was moved to the outfield. Instead of putting up with the position until second base was completely open the next year, he worked hard and became solid in leftfield, making it his home ever since. He is proud of his smooth transition out to left and even more proud of being part of one of the best outfields in the Big Ten Conference. Together with sophomore centerfielder Sam Steidl and fellow senior in right Jason Kennedy, the three form a solid trio of defense. "The combination of us is as good a defensive outfield as I've seen. I've been playing here for five years and cannot remember a time that we've struggled out there. The three of us are strong offensive players too, contributing to the other part of the game."
The times when teams need leaders the most is when things aren't going as smoothly as planned. This year's Golden Gopher baseball team has had its fair share of highs and lows throughout the season. At these moments, it is even more crucial that the leaders step up and work together on getting the team back to a steady course. The attitude taken by the upperclassmen set the tone, and Howard is well aware of that, trying to look at the Minnesota's rocky road in an optimistic way. "I don't see this team's play as struggling. It's an opportunity to learn about yourself and your teammates. The leadership role has been tough because of our record, and the role that the seniors are in is different than those before. This is a learning process. We have to let the young players know that the season is not over - there are still big games. The record does not represent the team."
Throughout his time here, Howard has been aware of the Maroon and Gold tradition that has been created throughout the decades of playing the game of baseball at the University. He embraces the history of the team, stressing it the reason to wear the M. "The tradition in this program, we have 30-plus winning seasons in a row. It's not just playing, but strong academically. That's really impressive - it's not just focused on athletics, but shows that other things are important as well."
Scott Howard is feeling the pressure. The weight of being a cornerstone of a team can be daunting, but when welcomed, the pride in building a solid baseball program can relieve some of that pressure. Contributing to a team goes beyond just showing up to the diamond everyday. It is portrayed in attitude, hard work and love of the game. Embracing tradition, years of experience and senior leadership are qualities making Howard an important factor in creating a solid foundation for the Minnesota program. With his base, the Golden Gopher teams will surely have years of success to come.
Written by Men's Athletics Media Relations Student Assistant Courtney Walerius
During this roller coaster ride of a season for the Golden Gopher baseball team, there has been a struggle to find a firm footing. The members of the Minnesota squad, trying to work out the kinks and get the gears of one of the great Big Ten baseball programs rotating again, have turned to a few things you can always depend on: tradition, experience and senior leadership. When those three things are present they become the cornerstones of the foundation that a team can then use to build its season upon. Senior leftfielder Scott Howard knows his contributions are important in helping create a solid team. His love of the Minnesota program, his four years of playing in the Golden Gopher uniform and his leadership on and off the field all are keys in making his school's program reach its potential.
Don't look for Howard to be dishing out advice to his younger teammates in the dugout, and when emotions are at a stand still, don't look for him to be pumping everyone one up. An admittedly shy person, Howard knows that his best leadership is portrayed on the field. "I speak with my actions more. I'm not a loud person, although at team meetings I've begun to speak up because I am a senior. But I like to show others when I'm out there on the field."
When Howard does comment, his teammates listen. After playing for the Golden Gophers in now his fifth season, Scott has too much experience under his belt to ignore. From the top of the conference, winning two Big Ten Tournament titles and a Big Ten regular season title during his career, to the lows of hitting slumps and personal injury, he has dealt with a variety of different situations and come out on top. He knows that becoming a better player and building a stronger team depends upon taking what has happened and applying the lessons learned from it. "I bring a lot of experience to this team. The five seniors do." Howard remarked. "I've played in the tough games and environments, facing all different types of teams. Experience has helped, definitely this year too, showing we can carry the Gophers and the tradition that goes with the program."
Howard also knows through experience that coming into a season, a team and individual players have to place goals beyond just the competitive desire to win. By focusing on heading toward a specific achievement, the team bonds and makes each other stronger while as a whole pushing forward to achieve. "I think the goal for the team, most importantly this season, was to win the Big Ten Championship. Especially with the five seniors that have been around for so long, it would be nice to win it again while we're all together.
"Personally, my goal is to make it on to the All-Big Ten team," Scott commented. "I had a down year and wasn't healthy. Just staying healthy is a big goal."
Adapting to change is something every athlete coming into a program must deal with. Howard understands what being versatile is all about. Although reluctant at first, he moved from his usual position of infield (third base throughout his high school career) to the outfield. He came to the "U" as an infield player and saw some time for Minnesota at second, but to maintain a place in the lineup, Howard was moved to the outfield. Instead of putting up with the position until second base was completely open the next year, he worked hard and became solid in leftfield, making it his home ever since. He is proud of his smooth transition out to left and even more proud of being part of one of the best outfields in the Big Ten Conference. Together with sophomore centerfielder Sam Steidl and fellow senior in right Jason Kennedy, the three form a solid trio of defense. "The combination of us is as good a defensive outfield as I've seen. I've been playing here for five years and cannot remember a time that we've struggled out there. The three of us are strong offensive players too, contributing to the other part of the game."
The times when teams need leaders the most is when things aren't going as smoothly as planned. This year's Golden Gopher baseball team has had its fair share of highs and lows throughout the season. At these moments, it is even more crucial that the leaders step up and work together on getting the team back to a steady course. The attitude taken by the upperclassmen set the tone, and Howard is well aware of that, trying to look at the Minnesota's rocky road in an optimistic way. "I don't see this team's play as struggling. It's an opportunity to learn about yourself and your teammates. The leadership role has been tough because of our record, and the role that the seniors are in is different than those before. This is a learning process. We have to let the young players know that the season is not over - there are still big games. The record does not represent the team."
Throughout his time here, Howard has been aware of the Maroon and Gold tradition that has been created throughout the decades of playing the game of baseball at the University. He embraces the history of the team, stressing it the reason to wear the M. "The tradition in this program, we have 30-plus winning seasons in a row. It's not just playing, but strong academically. That's really impressive - it's not just focused on athletics, but shows that other things are important as well."
Scott Howard is feeling the pressure. The weight of being a cornerstone of a team can be daunting, but when welcomed, the pride in building a solid baseball program can relieve some of that pressure. Contributing to a team goes beyond just showing up to the diamond everyday. It is portrayed in attitude, hard work and love of the game. Embracing tradition, years of experience and senior leadership are qualities making Howard an important factor in creating a solid foundation for the Minnesota program. With his base, the Golden Gopher teams will surely have years of success to come.
Written by Men's Athletics Media Relations Student Assistant Courtney Walerius
