Mike Flier makes contact with the baseball. Mike Flier
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands at times of comfort and convenience, rather where he stands at times of challenge and controversy,” said Martin Luther King Jr.
A quote that Saint Xavier University’s senior outfielder, Mike Flier has tattooed on his arm of a motto he lives by.
Flier started playing t-ball when he was just four years old. Flier’s parents would eventually realize their son’s potential playing t-ball as he not only enjoyed the sport, but was good at it too. Due to the fact that Flier’s family are big on baseball and softball, Flier’s passion for baseball flourished.
“My dad coached my older sister growing up… My aunt was very good [at softball she played] at the University of Villanova, who went on to play [internationally] in Sweden,” said Flier.
Having grown up in such a tight-knit baseball loving family, inspired Flier to compete for baseball for 3 years, during his years at Cumberland High School in Greenup, Illinois at the time of the COVID-19. During Flier’s time as a student,he achieved an accolade as a career and single season record holder in stolen bases.
Flier also had a chance to play football at a college-level, but decided to focus on baseball instead. This was mainly due to the fact that Flier had been given an opportunity to play as an athlete for Spoon River College after graduating high school. Gaining serious brain injuries from playing football felt no longer a concern for Flier, as he felt playing baseball would be a safer sport to participate in.
“…[It] was cut short due to the concern of long term brain injury from having multiple concussions throughout my football career. Baseball was the final decision regarding scholarship opportunities and longevity of my athletic ability.” said Flier
The record-breaking moments wouldn’t stop for Flier when he attended Spoon River for two years. Flier would become the single season homerun and stolen base record holder. When Flier entered the 2024 season, he began his journey in being committed to Saint Xavier University.
Despite the belief that some people think of baseball as a long and boring sport, it’s designed to be a very difficult one. The longevity of the sport is what makes it so difficult because it allows big plays to happen at any point.
“There are a lot of mental aspects of baseball that go unnoticed by the general public. Baseball is a sport where you can do everything right and still not be rewarded,” said Flier.
Because of the difficulty of the sport, Flier refers to having the privilege of participating in college-level baseball as one of his biggest accomplishments.
After Flier completes his collegiate baseball career, he plans to play professional baseball.
“Yes, I plan to pursue professional baseball after I receive my degree. I am going to play as long as my body allows,” said Flier.
Flier enters his final season not only as a cougar but as a collegiate athlete, as he knows what it takes to be a great athlete on and off the field. Flier talks about the most important qualities, such as perseverance and time management.
“…sometimes you just have to bow your neck and show up for the things you care about and who you really are. And that is something that you can not train into somebody, [it] is a personal choice,” said Flier.
Flier’s go-getter mindset to achieve his goals allowed him to soak in the key values of the sport of baseball. Flier talked about the value of relationships and networking, and how it gave him opportunities to meet people who would have life-long effects on Flier’s life.
“It has brought me some of the best relationships with Hall of Fame coaches who care for you like their own child…Some of my best friends who will one day be in my wedding and be in my childrens lives, we met solely because of baseball,” said Flier.
Flier’s baseball career from beginning to end was nothing short of inspirational. Flier’s long journey being fueled by his family and his perseverance is not over once he leaves Saint Xavier. As long as Flier lives by the quote of his tattoo, his professional career will be filled with success.