Brian Sloan, a physical education and driver’s education teacher along with assistant varsity baseball coach, was once a pitcher at Kean University. His legacy follows him through to today’s WHS baseball team, where he shares his knowledge and experience with those around him.
Sloan attended Edison High School and graduated in 1994. There, he played as a pitcher and center fielder on varsity his junior and senior year. His junior year, his team won the state championship and went 27-2. His senior year, he went 9-2, won counties, and finished with a 0.71 ERA.
Heading into college, he was accepted to the majority of the schools he applied to, but was only recruited by Kean University to play baseball. Since they also had the major he wanted, he knew it was the best choice for him.
Before starting at Kean, Sloan was both excited and nervous to meet new people. These nerves were hit with reality really quickly in his first game at the collegiate level. “I was looking forward to playing with my new teammates and competing at the next level. I was so nervous that I hit the first two batters I faced in college,” he said.
Despite the rough start, Sloan never second-guessed his decision and knew he made the right choice and “enjoyed every second of it.”
Sloan finished at Kean University in the fall of 1999 but walked in the spring of 2000. He majored in physical education and health.
“I learned how to battle adversity, handle failures and enjoy success. I learned to keep working and always give your best effort,” he said. Playing in college also taught Sloan so much about life both on and off of the field such as how to be a good teammate, friend and colleague to those around him.
If Sloan could share his takeaways from his experience as a collegiate athlete, he would say that there is always going to be someone else who wants to take your spot. He wants to share that it is important to keep pushing yourself because he believes talent will get you far, but hard work and dedication will help you become the best athlete you can be.
And most importantly, know that everyone is nervous. It is important to be confident, Sloan said. “Maybe I wouldn’t have hit those two batters.”
