Central Michigan University Athletics
Lifelong Memories Most Important to Jeff Sovern
2/1/2013 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
MOUNT PLEASANT- Jeff Sovern still remembers the memories shared with teammates and coaches from when he was a member of the Central Michigan baseball team 40 years ago.
Sovern will be the guest speaker next Saturday at the program's annual Meet the Chippewas event at Hunter's Ale House. The event is set to begin at 11:45 a.m. with an autograph session, followed by the reception and Sovern's address.
A three-time letterwinner, Sovern competed for the Chippewas from 1971-73. During his senior season, he played in all 36 games, ranked third on the team in batting average (.339), ranked second in at-bats (127), hits (43) and RBI (27), in addition to boasting a (.583) slugging percentage.
He was a part of the 1971 Hall of Fame team that went 35-7-1 and was the NCAA College Division national runner-up. Sovern was a versatile performer who successfully transitioned from catcher to first and third base, in addition to being named captain of the team his senior season.
"Probably the best memories were just all the great friends and coaches that I had and how much fun it was to be part of a winning program," Sovern said. "It was the best four years of my life."
At the age of 21, the Chicago White Sox in the 20th round of the 1973 MLB amateur draft selected Sovern. He played six seasons in the minor leagues, four of which came at the AAA level. Adjusting from collegiate to professional baseball proved to be a successful transition for Sovern.
"I got drafted right after my senior year. We were always well trained and coached the fundamentals of playing the game the right way," Sovern said. "I think that gave me an advantage when I went into professional baseball. We were taught the fundamentals and the correct way to play the game."
Of his six seasons playing minor league baseball, Sovern played in 507 games, had 227 RBI and 46 home runs. One of the biggest challenges he faced was the lengthy seasons of professional baseball.
"The big thing was the endurance and the ability to be mentally prepared to play every day," Sovern said. "That was probably the hardest part of being a professional baseball player was keeping things on a level playing field as far as being mentally and physically ready to play every day."
After his playing days, Sovern went on to work in the financial industry, where he has worked for 33 years. In addition, he has coached varsity baseball for the past eight years at Battle Creek Lakeview, his alma mater. Sovern finds himself implementing the same practices he was coached during his time at CMU.
On Saturday Sovern will speak to the team and fans about the tradition and rich experiences to be gained as a member and supporter of the program.
"They are in a very fortunate and exciting time in their lives, they might not realize it now but the guys sitting next to them are going to be some of their best friends for life," Sovern said. "The memories will always be positive and they are fortunate enough to play for a really good program that wins games."
