Wheaton College Athletics

Brian Kolb is a senior on the Thunder baseball team this year. The three-year starter earned All-American honors in 2008 and has set numerous school records in his three seasons at Wheaton. Brian and the Thunder will open the 2010 season this spring off of Wheaton's first back-to-back 20 win seasons in school history. Below is a brief interview with the Thunder shortstop.

Q: What is you favorite major league baseball team? Who is your favorite player?
A: My favorite major league baseball team is the Boston Red Sox and my favorite player is Dustin Pedroia because he is scrappy and plays the game the way it should be played.

Q: Why did you choose to attend and play baseball at Wheaton?
A: I chose to attend and play baseball at Wheaton because of the people. On my recruiting trip I knew there was a difference in the people who were at Wheaton and on the baseball team. I could feel God wanted me to be a part of this experience and I am thankful I decided to attend Wheaton.

Q: What is your favorite thing about playing baseball at Wheaton?
A: My favorite thing about playing baseball at Wheaton is my teammates. I have been blessed and fortunate to be part of a team that fully embraces the competitive atmosphere of sports and balances that with the faith we have as Christian men. It has been great to grow as baseball players and men of God. It has been an awesome experience.

Q: What do you appreciate most about playing for coach Driggers?
A: I appreciate Coach Driggers’ passion for the game of baseball. He loves the game and his passion has rubbed off and become the attitude of the team. Wheaton baseball should be very successful under his coaching.

Q: Talk a little bit about last season, as the team made its first ever appearance in the Championship round of the CCIW Tournament.
A: Last year’s playoff run was a special feeling because of the work that the team put into the season. It is a beautiful feeling when hard work leads to success. The feeling of ecstasy culminated after we came from behind to beat Augustana with a two-out bases empty rally. It was special to be a part of that but I hope this season lends itself to a championship title run.

Q: What are your thoughts on the team for the upcoming season? Do you have any goals for the team or for yourself?
A: Our team goal is to reach an NCAA regional and begin the new season in those national playoffs. Once we reach the NCAA regional anything can happen and we have a chance to make the World Series.

Q: What do you enjoy most about being a student at Wheaton?
A: The thing I enjoy most about being a student at Wheaton is the challenge to combine our faith with all aspects of learning. It has been very enlightening to see God’s beauty in all subject matter and to discover how each bit of gained knowledge impacts our faith.