Bondurant returns to USC as academic adviser

[morgan n' 7]

Bondurant returns to USC as academic adviser

Former Gamecock pitcher working with baseball team
Published: Friday, December 7, 2007 - 2:00 am

By Rick Scoppe
COLUMBIA BUREAU



COLUMBIA -- They know his name, if not his credentials. Steven Bondurant? Didn't he play baseball at the University of South Carolina? A pitcher, right? Lefty, wasn't he?


But an academic adviser? No way.


Since signing on full time after volunteering in USC's academic support services department, Bondurant has had a few athletes question his qualifications.

Initially, he didn't want to say anything. But finally he had heard enough, telling them he "took care of business" during his years at USC.



"I got to give a little credibility to what I was saying," Bondurant said Thursday. "But a couple of them were like, 'You're a pro baseball player. You probably just survived and moved on.'"


Not quite.


Bondurant graduated magna cum laude with a 3.78 grade point average and a double major in business. He later earned a master's degree in human resources.


On the field, Bondurant led USC in strikeouts as a senior (98 in 2003) and won seven games his final two seasons, including a complete-game victory against Clemson University to send USC to the 2002 College World Series title game.


"He's a great role model," said Raymond Harrison, director of academic support services. "He's able to tell them he's been in their shoes. He's walked away with two degrees. He's had the opportunity to pursue that dream (of playing in the major leagues)."


Bondurant hasn't quite given up on that dream, although at 27 he knows his time is running out. Having played in the lower levels of the minor leagues, Bondurant said he'd return to baseball only if he had a chance at Class AA or higher. He is still working out, but his main focus is as the academic adviser to the baseball team. He meets weekly with the 45 players he oversees academically, tracks their grades and talks with professors about the players.


"Having been through the program and understanding the commitment that I want from our players academically, he knew exactly what to enforce," USC coach Ray Tanner said. "So he was able to literally walk into a job as a rookie and know what to do. He's been great. He has a great disposition with the players. He understands players, and you can't talk to them academically like I coach them."


Bondurant is surprised he's doing what he's doing. But while working as a volunteer during the offseason last year he found he enjoyed the work and related to the players.


"It's a pretty special connection. I know everything they're going through, the practice, the study hall, all that good stuff," Bondurant said. "I had to go through it. ... I knew what it took to make the grades. I try to show them that."

One of the most surprising things he has discovered as an academic adviser is how much work goes into what goes on there.


He remembers seeing one former adviser constantly worrying about struggling players.

"I was like, 'Why is he so uptight?' " Bondurant said. "He was always, 'Need a tutor? Need this?' We were like, 'Relax.' "Now I catch myself doing the same things: 'You need a tutor? You struggled on these first couple of exams, you need a tutor, right?' "


http://greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbc...712070321/1026

[cack]

always a plus to have a young person influencing these guys/gals in a good way

[The Dude]

Originally Posted by cack

always a plus to have a young person influencing these guys/gals in a good way

I agree...I've always been eager to see some past athletes, who are still young enough to relate with current athletes, come back and help advise them.

Good stuff!

[uscsweig]

this is a great thing.

[willy]

Bondurant was an excellent student in his days at carolina. He is a very good addition to the staff. WELCOME ABOARD.

[gacock]

I agree, this was a great move for our team.

Bondurant was one of the sharper tools in the shed at Carolina; his youth and life experiences (post-college) at a young age will help these kids tremendously. A degree is the best insurance these kids can have if pursing their dreams falls short.

Coach Tanner has provided his players with alot of smart, young talent in his assistants. Monte Lee, Sammy Esposito and now Bondurant. It is always a good thing to have a Carolina grad in the mix, especially one who "knows the ropes" around campus.

It is time to achieve great things.

Go Gamecocks!!!

gacock