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.