Fresno State Athletics
Senior Leadership -- Jared Walker and Casey Creamer
2/28/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 28, 2002
Seniors on a team are looked upon as wise individuals with a lot to offer the younger guys. Two such players on the team this season are outfielders Casey Creamer and Jared Walker. Both joined the Bulldogs last season as junior college transfers and quickly learned the ropes in Division I. Although, neither saw a lot of action on the field last year, they are ready to leave an impression as seniors this year to the incoming players.
Walker and Creamer both realize that they were given one of the best opportunities of the their life, which is to play Division I baseball with a team like Fresno State and as they enjoy their final season, they have some words of wisdom for everyone. 1. Play your heart out.
Creamer notes that playing Division 1 ball is grueling, but worth it.
"Playing baseball at Fresno State has been great," Creamer said. "It's a lot of hard work and dedication, but it's all fun. You don't get a second chance to do this, so make it worthwhile."
2. Welcome the newcomers, and not by shaving their heads. Freshmen have the opportunity to be "initiated" early in the year. Often times the rookies walk away with less than attractive haircuts which may include random bald spots or an '80's style Mohawk.
"We do a good job as a team to make sure that the new guys feel welcome by inviting them out or over to our houses," said Walker. "I think it reflects on our team because we're very close. Everybody is buddies."
3. Keep your focus during games, even when a streaker runs across the field. Last season during the Rice series, one of the games was interrupted by a man running naked across the outfield. This scene is locked in Creamer's mind as his most memorable moment, and specifically that he didn't know how to react.
"It was a huge game and there was a big crowd so we we're all really serious," Creamer said. "When it happened, it was so funny, but we weren't sure whether it was ok to laugh."
4. Live it up while you can.
Creamer reflected on his years with the team with fondness. He said when he leaves Fresno State he will miss the players most of all.
"The friends you meet and going out to the field every day is something you can't find anywhere else," Creamer said.
Walker, a graduate of Douglas High and transfer from Merced College, batted .235 last season and had four RBIs. He will graduate next semester with a degree in business and plans to pursue a career in real estate.
Creamer played baseball at Madera High and Reedley College before transferring to Fresno State. He will graduate with a degree in business marketing.
