APU senior centerfielder Mitch Dergazarian knows his days as a collegiate baseball athlete are numbered, and he understands the importance of making the most of his last season. However, to him, this doesn’t mean making the big catch or racking up runs. Dergazarian’s No. 1 concern is and always has been his teammates.
“It’s not about me,” Dergazarian said. “I obviously want to hit better and play better, but I am more concerned with [thoughts like] ‘How did Jon Reid or Pablo O’Connor play? How is Michael Staudinger feeling?’ My biggest concern is the wellness of my teammates. [To me], the word ‘leadership’ means maximizing the potential and talent of my teammates, to try and make them better and improve themselves daily.”
It is this selfless mindset that makes Dergazarian such a powerful motivator and encouragement to his teammates. His energy and dedication to the team’s progress is infectious.
“That’s the great thing about Mitch,” sophomore infielder Pablo O’Connor said. “He’s not afraid to hold his own teammates accountable. He doesn’t let anyone slide for not doing their job. Whether he’s taking fly balls or hitting, he’s always out there giving 100 percent and it shows. Other people see that, and they get fired up from it.”
Dergazarian’s motivational nature developed at a young age. He recalls writing motivational quotes on his binders at school or under the bill of his hat as a source of encouragement.
Ever since the beginning of his sophomore year, Dergazarian has made it a point to support whoever was in the on-deck circle before they went up to bat.
“It is different with each player, but being able to build a relationship with every player on the team gave me the opportunity to learn and adapt to each of my teammates’ competitive structure,” Dergazarian said. “I believe those few words I share before they are at bat help raise their confidence level [by] knowing that the team…[has] full confidence in them.”
Dergazarian finds his own support in the encouragement of his father, who also played baseball at Pasadena City College (PCC) before his career was cut short due to family financial issues.
“My dad has been with me through my baseball career, always encouraging me at my highs and my lows,” Dergazarian explained. “Every time I strap on my cleats, I play for him…knowing that he would trade anything to have played those extra couple years in college.”
With graduation day quickly approaching, Dergazarian feels like he is leaving the team in good hands and has high hopes for the coming season.
“The future of this team is looking pretty bright,” Dergazarian said. “Since we have a lot of new guys this year, the team chemistry is going to be really solid next year. With the group leadership of Pablo O’Connor and Adrian Tovalin leading the way, I can see this team taking off, if not having a better year, next year.”
Dergazarian will graduate with a degree in kinesiology, and his dream is to move to Mammoth City and become a personal trainer. As a big outdoorsman, Dergazarian is looking forward to slowing life down and enjoying the scenery. However, until that day comes, Dergazarian will be enjoying every last play of his baseball career and will continue inspiring his teammates.
“My goal as a leader for this team is to make sure that we move in the right direction and we continue to improve and get better, while focusing daily on a personal process that each individual holds themselves accountable to,” Dergazarian said.