Year: Senior (2009)

Major: Sports Management

Born: October 9th, 1987 in Rockport, Maine

HOMETOWN/HS: Owls Head, Maine/Rockland District High School

Sport / Position: Baseball, Outfield

FAVORITES:

Song: "Stairway to Heaven" - Led Zeppelin

Food: Chicken and Cheese from Patches

T.V. Shows: Seinfeld (hands down, the best show of all-time!)

Movie: Anything with Denzel Washington

Book: Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose

Professional Sports Team: Boston Red Sox

Athlete: Lance Armstrong

Senior tri-captain Wade Oliver (Owls Head, ME) will undoubtedly be remembered as being one of the best outfielders to ever play at Saint Joseph's College. Having played right field for the past three seasons, the senior will take his defensive prowess to center for his final season. He began the 2009 campaign with a .353 collegiate batting average, the 10th-highest in team history, and will likely finish his career in the top five in games, runs, hits, doubles, triples and stolen bases. With a base knock against St. Joseph's College (NY) on March 13th, Oliver became the 11th SJC player to reach the 150-hit plateau.

While playing for Head Coach Will Sanborn ‘86, Oliver has seen the Monks post a 98-46-1 (.681) record, including a perfect 10-0 tilt in conference tournament games. In this time, the Monks have taken home three conference titles, two as a member of the North Atlantic Conference and one as a first-year member of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference in 2008, and made three NCAA DIII Regional Tournament appearances. The Monks have averaged over seven runs per game in Oliver's three years as the team's leadoff hitter and offensive catalyst.

Baseball Head Coach Will Sanborn '86:

"Wade Oliver made an immediate impact on our baseball program as a freshman, as he was named North Atlantic Conference Rookie of the Year and Conference Tournament Most Valuable Player in 2006. For four years his competitiveness and hustle have made him a standout player. As an outfielder Wade is one of the finest I have ever coached. He gets a great jump on the ball and believes he can catch everything. He is fearless in the outfield, and his diving catches have become almost commonplace. As a senior we have moved him from right field to center field, and he has become the real leader of the outfielders. Offensively, Wade is a real spark plug at the top of the order. I like to have a guy in the leadoff spot who can drive in runs when the bottom of the lineup gets on base, and Wade has consistently done that over the years. He is also one of the best base runners on the team, he has great instincts and does a great job of taking the extra base. A leader off the field as well, Wade is well respected on campus and is an outstanding student. He is a great role model for our younger players. Most importantly Wade loves the game and plays with a real passion. You can see that in the way he plays - he gives it everything he has on every play. It has been a real pleasure to have Wade Oliver as a part of our program."

Feature Questions

Why did you choose Saint Joseph's College?

I wanted a small-school atmosphere that I would feel comfortable in like home. I applied to a number of schools in New England to play various sports. But after visiting the campus and meeting with Coach Sanborn and a few of the players, my mind was immediately made up. I instantly felt right at home and everyone treated me like a part of the team when I came to visit. I also liked the fact that I was close enough to home when I could go home whenever I needed to.

What was your first job (actually received a paycheck)?

My first job was in the summer when I was 14. I detailed cars for a rental car business. Not the most glorious job ever, but it was easy and I got paid. After that summer I got a job at the Samoset Resort back home and I've been working there ever since.

Who would you like to trade places for a day with and why?

Tiger Woods. I would like to see what a day of his consists of and also know what it's like to be that good at golf.

What is on your "Bucket List?"

First on my list would be to travel the world, especially to visit Ireland, Greece and Italy. I am a huge history person so I would want to visit all the historical sites. Next would be to go to a Dallas Cowboys game in Dallas. I know it's blasphemy around here, but I can't stand the New England Patriots! And third sounds kind of cliché, but I want to go skydiving.
Talent you'd most like to have:

Be able to go back in time.

What do you drive?

2001 Chevy Impala a.k.a. White Lightning (I have a habit of naming every car I've owned).

What is your motto?

Don't measure yourself by what you have accomplished, but by what you should accomplish with your ability.

What is your favorite Coach Sanborn quote?

Well I want to say the '29 Yankees quote, but it has to go back to my freshman year in a doubleheader vs. Elms at home. "We have guys that are IN THE GAME, and they're not even watching the pitcher! They're more concerned with the barbeque. Tell me, do you have a scouting report on this guy, have you seen him 10 or 15 times? Of course you haven't. So let's approach this with a little intensity and professionalism."

Do you have any superstitions before you go into a big game?

I don't do anything specific before a big game. I try to treat every game the same way. I just like to stay relaxed and loose and not over-analyze anything. I'm usually joking around with teammates and coaches to stay loose. The one superstition I have during the game is not stepping on the foul lines coming on and off the field.

What is your most memorable moment as an athlete at SJC?

Winning the GNAC Championship last year in our first year in the conference as a number-four seed.

What is your funniest or most embarrassing moment as an SJC athlete?

I've tried to forget this moment, but I'm reminded of it every now and then, mostly by teammates. Last year in the NCAA Regional against Keene St., I had the Golden Sombrero and struck out four times in the game. I think that would qualify as embarrassing.

Who has had the greatest impact on your life?

Definitely my parents and family. They have always been there to support me in everything I do. They taught me the values of hard work and determination and to always do my best.

Can you tell us something about you that most people don't know?

I lived in California for about a year when I was younger. My mom was in the military and I lived on an Army base in Oakland.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Having a good job that I love and coaching.

If you could meet anyone (past or present) who would it be and why?

Lee Harvey Oswald - I want to find out the truth about the JFK assassination.

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy golfing (even though I'm terrible), playing video games, watching stand up comedy, listening to music, joking around, and I love history.

What is your ideal day away from athletics?

Relaxing with my friends and watching a game, there really is never a day away from athletics!

As a sports management major, what type of job will you seek after graduation?

I want to get a job in athletics administration, eventually becoming a high school athletic director. I recently applied for an internship with the ECAC in athletics administration so that would be a great place to start.

Do you plan on playing or coaching baseball after you leave St. Joe's?

Absolutely! I won't be able to play, really, anymore, so the next best thing is coaching. I feel like I have a lot of knowledge to offer young players. I got a little taste of it a few summers ago when I was an assistant coach for our legion team back home and I loved it. I'm hoping to do that again this summer. I also want to coach basketball and football.

What are your personal and team goals for your senior season?

To be a positive leader for our team and do everything I can to help us defend our GNAC title. Winning this year would give the seniors four conference championships in our four years here. Not many people can say that and I think it would be quite an accomplishment

What will you miss most about playing baseball at St. Joe's?

I will miss the competition and just being around all the guys. The team chemistry we have is second to none and I had never been a part of a team like this until I came to St. Joe's.