17 Year Navy Veteran Brian Holcomb Made His NCAA Pitching Debut Last Night
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville University baseball team Head coach Tim Montez will send to the mound Brian Holcomb for his first collegiate start. Holcomb has made multiple deployment overseas and has 17-years of active duty in the Navy to his credit.
“We are excited and proud to give Brian Holcomb the start,” said Montez. “Even if it’s for one batter, it’s the least we can do for a young man who has served his country with pride and unwavering dedication.”
Holcomb was added to the roster early March after being cleared through the NCAA. Working on his nursing degree at JU so he can return to service with more knowledge to serve his country, Holcomb lives out his dream on Tuesday night.
“I’m like a little freshman trying to get that spot and do some damage out there on the mound,” said Holcomb who turns 35 next week. “Where I am at in my life, I’ve surpassed a lot of my dreams. I found a role around here and stayed attached to the program and the guys welcomed me in.”
Enrolled in the Navy Nurse Corps Assoc. (NNCA) Holcomb’s life ambitions go beyond the sport of baseball and through the stratosphere of selflessness.
“I was accepted into the Medical Enlisted Commissioning Program (MECP) here at JU,” said Holcomb of his decision to enroll as a student-athlete, “After I get my degree, I’ll have the chance to serve for six years. I love serving my country. If I can do 40-years serving and retire, that’s what I want to do.”
A member of the Wounded Warrior Project, Holcomb returns to the mound—some 17 years in the making from his last level of competition where he was a star at Mason H.S. in Michigan.
“Brian has always had the dream of playing Division 1 college baseball,” said Montez on Holcomb. “He earned a roster spot this season and he has been such an inspiration to our players and has had a positive impact in our clubhouse.”
At Mason, Holcomb owned a 4-1 record with a 1.90 ERA with 37 strikeouts his senior season before graduating and enlisting in the service.
As if nerves and anticipation could rattle one with credentials of Holcomb, “Ice-cold water going through the veins,” finished Holcomb.
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Very cool moment for college sports last night. Brian Holcomb getting his first official start after SEVENTEEN years of serving his country overseas. Stats didn’t set the world on fire or anything, but that’s the least important part of the story.
To be a great high school pitcher with a shot to move on and play division 1 baseball, but choosing to enlist in the Navy and make a difference instead. Lot better man than me, or most of us for that matter. Got to be awesome to have a guy like this on the team too, somebody to look up to and keep everything in perspective.
Team nicknamed ”Doc”, Holcomb’s impact on the rest of the players have been apparent, but the admiration is mutual as Holcomb explains the impact the team has had on him.
“They look up to me. I hold that near and dear to my heart, and I don’t take that lightly,” said Holcomb. “In the same notion, I look at them the same way they look at me. As a military member, preparing for war and deployment takes a lot of guts and courage, but you know what, a freshman that goes out there and grinds it out on the bump and throws his butt off takes a lot of courage and guts to.”
A ‘big brother’ to a Montez squad that has two starting pitchers and a handful of freshmen and sophomore relievers, Holcomb returns the embrace, bestowing motivation and appreciation for what they and the rest of the lineup has accomplished thus far.
“He helps his young teammates and our coaching staff put things in perspective,” said Coach Montez. “Sometimes we get so wrapped up with what goes on the field, that we forget about what’s really important outside of it.”
Now we just need coach to leave him out there and let him spin for his next start. Hey coach, not getting any younger out here bro.