PSAC Student-Athlete Feature - Jeff Heisey Wednesday, March 14, 2012 12:04 PM ARCHIVED PROFILES JEFF HEISEY Millersville - Athletic Training Major Mt. Joy / Donegal HS A junior outfielder for one of the top baseball teams in the PSAC, Heisey helped lead his squad to an NCAA regional title last year as he led the Marauders with a .532 slugging percentage and hit seven home runs (T-3rd PSAC). From his freshman to sophomore season, Heisy upped his batting average by 50 points and had significant increases in his extra-base hit, walk and RBI totals. His top games in 2011 included a muliple home run game vs. California in the PSAC Tournament and multiple-hit showing vs. Mercyhurst in the regional title game. Why did you choose Millersville? I chose Millersville because it had all the things I needed for success. I really liked the coach and the direction he was steering the program and they had the academic standards and a field that I wanted to pursue. It is also close to home, and my parents love the fact that they can make it to all the home games. What is the biggest adjustment you had to make going from high school to college? The change in the amount and difficulty of school work. I kind of got shocked for the first semester and I got back on track for the next one. What is the thing you’ve enjoyed most about college? I love baseball, and in college it was really cool the way our team has bonded and got along. They always say your closest friends come from college, and I think I have 30 more close friends because of baseball. What is your top collegiate athletics memory? Right now the top memory is pretty much all of the 2011 playoffs, but mostly the games we played against Mercyhurst. We lost to them on a walk of homerun in the PSAC Championship. That loss dismissed us from the tournament and that hit us pretty hard. We came back and beat them twice in the Atlantic Regional Tournament to secure a trip to the World Series. ... your most memorable athletic accomplishment throughout your life? I would say that all the teams I played on have made huge accomplishments. Both in high school and college we were kind of the underdogs -- in high school we went to win a district title and made two trips to states -- in college we've made a World Series appearance and earned a national ranking. One of the best feelings in sports is being able to overcome the odds. What person has had the most significant influence on you from an athletics perspective? My dad really has made an impact. He always wants me to be the best I can be, and always encourages me to take the extra swings and go for those lessons, and was never shy to go in the backyard and catch for me (despite a few broken windows). I will never forget the pep talks he gives me before games either. Among athletes in the family, where do you rate? Between my brother and sister I would rate myself higher than them. I always say my brother got the brains, my sister got the creative gene, and I got most of the athletic genes. My mom still thinks she can kick my butt though. What is the best advice you’ve ever been given? Best advice I ever got was don’t look back. I like to live life with no regrets and do what makes me happy. You should never look back and say you wish you had, or hadn’t done something. Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions? I wouldn’t say I have any pregame rituals but I am superstitious of what I wear. For instance, no matter what the weather is, I will not wear long sleeves during a game. I also have a routine I like to follow pre at bat, and post at bat. If I could change one thing about the sport I play, it would be: I don’t know if I would change anything but I wouldn’t introduce instant replay to the game because everyone loves to complain about the umpires. What is your favorite pro sports team: My mom grew up a Phillies fan, so she trained me that way. Who is your favorite athlete and why? Hunter Pence. First, he plays for the Phillies now, and second, he is kind of quirky in his playing style and he makes things interesting on the field. He also plays with reckless abandon and plays harder than almost anyone else. Words your coach says that you swear you can hear in your sleep: One pitch, and so what. It is kind of our team mentality. I also dream 200 feet at a time. Who is your celebrity crush? My celebrity crush without a doubt is Katy Perry, but im not exactly sure why. I would be a lot more effective if I would spend less time: If I would stop socializing so much I would defenitly get more work, and other essentials done. I am the type of person that has to be doing something and don’t like to just lay around the house for more than an hour. My hidden talent is: I was on a rifle team when I was in high school, so I have a hidden talent of being able to shoot a rifle really well. What’s on your Ipod during pregame? A variety. I like something to get me pumped up, and then some slower music to calm my nerves and make me focused. The most addictive snack food for me is: Trail Mix is the worst for me because it combines both the sweet and salty aspects. Sport I would look bad doing, and why: Curling, because I really like to throw, roll, kick, slide, anything as hard as possible. Im not a player with the touch that a lot of other athletes have. Fill in the blanks: When you’re in my hometown, you should try the pork at Harvey’s BBQ. What is your favorite vacation spot? I went on a two week backpacking trip to New Mexico in high school and I would go back in a heartbeat.