NEXT LEVEL WITH MARCUS BROWN
Oklahoma State baseball standout, Marcus Brown, is entering his Junior year for the Cowboys and is looking to improve on his outstanding performance from last year. The exceptional, former Shiloh Christian baseball player starts the 2023 season as an infielder and one of the best hitters on the OSU squad.
His .316 batting average from 2022 was third best on the team. He had the longest hitting streak on the team last year at 13 games and he reached base safely 21 games in a row last year. These stats plus some solid fielding led to a 2022 Honorable Mention as an All-Big 12 infielder.
We recently caught up with Marcus and he talked about his baseball influences and how important his family is to his life and his time on the field.
Q & A
The Varsity Report:
How are things going with Oklahoma State baseball?
Brown:
Things are going great here at Oklahoma State. We have another great team with top-10 caliber and another chance to make a deep postseason run.
The Varsity Report:
Tell us about your decision to attend OSU and play baseball there.
Brown:
After de-committing from the University of Kentucky my senior year of high school I took visits to many universities. Coach (Josh) Holliday and the staff welcomed me here with open arms and a great opportunity. Playing at OSU is a dream come true. O’Brate Stadium is one of the best stadiums in the country and we have some of the best fans to go along with it.
The Varsity Report:
You have seen much success and the program is on the rise. How does it feel to be a big part of that?
Brown:
Our program is not on the rise. We’ve been a college baseball blue-blood for many years. This program has a very rich history and I am very grateful to be able to honor those who came before me every time I step on the field.
The Varsity Report:
What is your first memory of playing organized sports?
Brown:
My favorite memory is hitting my first kid pitch home run when I was 12! It was a moment I’ll never forget.
The Varsity Report:
Do you have any mentors?
Brown:
Robin Ventura is one of my biggest mentors. He is the best hitter to ever play college baseball. It is easy to learn from someone who had a 58 game hitting streak in college and was part of a team that went to the College World Series 4 straight years! Robin has taught me how to carry myself like a big leaguer and how to handle the ups and downs of a long season.
The Varsity Report:
You were a standout at Shiloh Christian. What is one of your favorite memories of playing there? Any favorite game?
Brown:
I have many great memories from Shiloh! We had a great team and great coaches. Playing in the state championship at Baum was special. Playing in front of a crowd that consisted of all of my friends and family was truly special.
The Varsity Report:
How has your family helped through the years in your academic and athletic endeavours?
Brown:
My family is the foundation of my life. They are always there for me in my greatest and toughest times. My parents attend nearly all of my games and they are my biggest supporters. I love my family and I am blessed to have such a great support system in my life.
The Varsity Report:
How do you balance academics and athletics at the collegiate level?
Brown:
Time management is big as a college athlete and learning to set time aside for academics is key when you practice as much as we do!
The Varsity Report:
What advice would you give to a young, student athlete that would help them to prepare at the collegiate level?
Brown:
Learn to love the process of your work. By creating a good process, it will give you a good foundation. Focusing on small details within your sport will add up over time to allow you to compete at the best of your ability.
The Varsity Report:
What do you do for fun?
Brown:
I love to hang out with my teammates, play cards, watch movies, and listen to music.
The Varsity Report:
What is your favorite sports movie?
Brown:
My favorite sports movie is Moneyball.
The Varsity Report:
How do you think OSU Baseball will perform this upcoming season? Do you have any games circled that are important to you?
Brown:
We have a great opportunity ahead of us at Oklahoma State this year. We have a great team and are excited to attack another year of power-5 baseball! Every game matters, regardless of who the opponent is. We are going to play one pitch at a time and enjoy every moment together.
The Varsity Report:
What would you say to your younger self if you could give yourself some advice?
Brown:
You play a GAME. Baseball is what you do, not who you are. Enjoy every minute of competition and play for the love of the game!