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College athletics offer an opportunity to continue existing passions, but also the ability and resources to foster new ones throughout four years. Alex Trepper, a 2024 Greensboro College graduate, and pitcher on the Greensboro College baseball team did just that during his time with the Pride. His ability to balance both Division III athletics, academic demands, as well as many extracurricular endeavors leaves him fulfilled and thankful for his time at Greensboro College, and ready to take on what's next.
 
Growing up in the Tampa Bay area, Trepper remembers that baseball was always a big part of his life. Some of his earliest memories include playing little league each year, and eventually getting into pitching once it became an option for players. At Sickles High School in Tampa, FL, Trepper continued his baseball career and began to think about playing in college. Although Greensboro College is states away from his hometown in Florida, Trepper spoke of the strong connections between the state and the Greensboro College baseball program that continue to grow even today. Many players from the state of Florida, including even some teammates at Trepper's high school in Tampa, came to Greensboro College.  Former Pride Head Coach, Frank Maldonado, was the architect of this pipeline, which eventually brought Trepper to Greensboro. Both academically and athletically, Greensboro College offered Alex the opportunity to thrive and grow as a player. He noted the small class sizes, opportunity for new experiences, and location of the city of Greensboro itself as major selling points in his college recruiting process.
 
In the 2023 season, Trepper made 13 appearances while going 1-1 in 13 innings pitched. On his senior day, Trepper helped the Pride defeat Guilford College with two innings of work out of the bullpen. One of his favorite memories in his baseball career was making a relief appearance on opening day of the Spring of 2021. He will never forget the look on his dad's face, who had made the trip up from Tampa, when he realized his son would be making an appearance in his first collegiate game. Perhaps even more memorable was the picture Alex received after the game, where his mother and other family members could be seen huddled around a small iPhone, watching Alex pitch.
 
However, Alex's impressive performances on the baseball field were just the start of his involvement at Greensboro College.  He was involved in many student activities, particularly as a writer and editor for the Collegian, Greensboro College's award-winning student-run newspaper. In his junior and senior years, Trepper became even more involved with the athletic department. He affectionately became known as the voice of Greensboro College athletics. His broadcasting and play-by-play for the Pride became one of the highlights of the 2023-2024 academic year at Greensboro College. Although he had a strong foundation of broadcasting skills, as he was the host of his high school morning show, Trepper recalls many hours practicing in front of muted games on TV, as well as doing play-by-play broadcasting of video games while his roommates played them in their dorm rooms. As he entered final season with the Greensboro College baseball team, Trepper even completed an internship with the Sports Information Department, and hopes to continue working in sports in the future. Also notably, Trepper was heavily involved in SAAC, Greensboro College's Student Athlete Advisory Committee as the Vice President, as well as student government (SGA) as the Student Body President. In a two-day event that included the entire Pride community, Trepper was a leader that helped raise over $10,000 for Greensboro Food pantries.
 
In his own words, Trepper noted that Division III athletics gave him the opportunity to expand on these passions, as both coaches and faculty at Greensboro College prioritize developing the entire person. From an athletic standpoint, Division III athletics form tight-knit bonds. Alex recalled each of his teammates genuinely wanting to be a part of the team and contributing to something bigger than themselves. The people, both his teammates and others met in his four years, will be the biggest lesson that Alex takes away from his four years at Greensboro College. While Pride baseball and Trepper's extracurricular endeavors certainly highlighted his collegiate career, he will miss many little memories that make the college experience so special. He knows that the people met at Greensboro College will continue to have an impact on his life, even after graduation and in his career.

Caroline Doss - Sports Information Intern