Fairbanks High School baseball senior Connor Pack, center, is pictured with his parents, Cara Holt and Joe Pack. Pack will continue his academic and baseball careers at the University of Northwestern Ohio.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
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Fairbanks High School senior Connor Pack has made a decision that will allow him to not only pursue an academic course of study toward his career plans, but also let him continue to play baseball.
Pack announced on Thursday that he will be attending the University of Northwestern Ohio, which is located near Lima.
“I had also looked at Sinclair College, but I chose UNOH to study diesel and agriculture technology,” he said. “I plan on obtaining an associates degree in that during the first two years and then spend the next two years earning a degree in business.
“I want to eventually open my own repair shop.”
Pack made a big impact on the Panther baseball program during his junior and senior seasons.
He finished with a career batting average of .486 with four homers and 78 RBIs. He also stole 17 bases in 18 attempts.
Pack, FHS’ starting center fielder, began his diamond career as a freshman at Marysville High School, but had to sit out his sophomore campaign with an arm injury.
He enrolled at Fairbanks prior to the start of his junior year and attended Tolles Technical Center in order to pursue his career path in diesel mechanics.
“I had heard rumors that Connor was a talented baseball player,” said veteran Fairbanks coach Josh Rine. “However, I didn’t know anything about what type of person or teammate he would be or even if he would decide to play baseball at Fairbanks.
“The first day he showed up to the workouts, he erased any question marks I had,” said the coach. “He has been a great leader and role model for us the past two seasons both on and off the field.”
Rine continued his praise of the two-year letterman.
“Connor brings a high degree of both mental and physical toughness on a daily basis which has helped push and bring out the best in both himself and in others,” he said. “It is not easy coming into a new environment and immediately becoming a leader, but he made it look that way.
“It is evident that the other players all respect him and look up to him,” said Rine. “Connor has truly been a joy to coach over the past two seasons. He is an unselfish person who never makes excuses or blames any failures on others, which are qualities that you see in great competitors who are motivated to improve.”
The UNOH baseball program has had a great deal of success over the years, although it “slumped” to 27 victories during the recently-completed 2019 campaign.
“They had been averaging 40 wins per season up until this season,” said Pack.
The program is not one to rush first-year players into varsity action.
“They have junior varsity and varsity teams,” said Pack, who will play in the outfield and at first base. “All freshmen begin with the junior varsity team and then work their way up.
“The coaches feel that’s the best way for freshmen to get the feel of college baseball and not put them in the position of going onto the varsity level right away.”
“Connor always listens to the coaching staff and is appreciative of any help he receives,” said Rine. “He always treats everyone with respect and supports and encourages his teammates.
“Connor’s parents are both great people and they both have been very supportive of our program during his time here,” he said. “They have always supported and cheered for the other players in our program and have always shown support and respect toward our coaching staff.
“It is easy to see why Connor carries so many positive traits,” said Rine. “We will truly miss him at Fairbanks in many ways.
“Hopefully, some of our younger players learned a few things from him and will adopt and carry on the mentality and work ethic that he brought on a daily basis.
“I have no doubt that he will be a successful person in whatever he chooses to do in life and I want to wish him the best of luck.”