Tasman Chases Dream at Columbia University
Jon Tasman is a senior at Columbia University, but he isn’t taking it easy as he nears a coveted Ivy League degree. Instead, the Huntington High School Class of 2005 member is pushing on with his collegiate baseball career, looking to return to All-Star form after battling back from the shoulder surgery that slowed him for parts of the past two seasons.
Fully recovered, Tasman has positioned himself well as he pursues a starting spot in right field. He also plans to continue to do some catching, the position he earned All-State honors at as a Huntington senior.
“I like my chances in the outfield,” the 21-year old Tasman said last week. “I've played there throughout the summer and I feel as if I have some good raw talent out there, with the tools needed to fit the role. This fall will help determine where I stand on the depth chart.”
Fall practice kicked off this week and a game/scout day is slated for Sept. 27. Tasman is also working hard academically as he puts the finishing touches on an economics degree. He’s training hard and sharpening his skills at the plate and in the field. Like most college players he would love to be selected in the big league draft.
At Huntington High School, Tasman batted .420 as a junior and .415 as a senior, winning the Offensive Player of the Year Award. He was named to the All-County and All-State teams. In all, he earned six varsity letters for the Blue Devil baseball and soccer teams. On the soccer field, he record seven career shutouts. He also won numerous academic awards.
“Classes are fun this semester and I only need four credits in the spring semester to graduate, but need six to get my major, so I am planning on taking two economic electives and taking a baseball credit to have a grand total of seven credits in the spring.”
Tasman returns to his alma mater from time to time and maintains regular contact with fellow alums and former teachers. He hasn’t given up his dream of playing professional ball. Should that not materialize, he plans to either pursue work in the banking or business fields, pursue a graduate degree or both.
Comments or Questions? email the Public Information Office