Walked On

How does an undrafted free agent and two-sport college walk-on end up in a Chicago White Sox uniform? With a college football career derailed by mononucleosis and a college baseball career shattered by rotator cuff surgery, Brian Kent’s narrative will motivate any athlete. Follow the journey from high school to college(s); from the dojo to the independent leagues; and from personal training to a White Sox contract. While the ultimate goal – playing in the big leagues – was not reached, the path was filled with lessons guaranteed to inspire all readers. As a high school ballplayer, Kent had aspirations of playing both Big Ten football and Major League Baseball. A product of great youth and high school coaching, he was recruited to play Division I football and Division I baseball, but without any scholarship offers from either sport. Undeterred, Kent accepted an invitation to be a preferred walk-on football player with the very real possibility of also being a scholarship baseball player–at the same Big Ten university. It was the definition of a dream coming true. However, one “kissing disease” and major coaching dismissal changed everything. After self-reflection and a reassessment of goals, it was time to transfer, leave football behind and focus on baseball. Once again, a walk-on opportunity at a Big XII university presented itself–for a coach that wanted athletes, not just baseball players. It looked like the perfect scenario, and for a while, appeared to be. But, two evaluations with coaches behind-closed-doors revealed a sobering, disappointing reality. To keep his baseball dream alive, Kent had to transfer a second time; now to a Division II school. School number three included: an NCAA transfer-ineligible season; a scholarship received; injury-related poor performance; a scholarship eliminated; and career threatening shoulder surgery. Our character is defined by how we handle adversity. As athletes and competitors, how do we conquer our personal demons and heal our minds? How do we stay motivated through injury, failure, and frustration? Through the feeling of not being wanted, and knowing that our window to fight is closing? How do we rebound and improve ourselves? What are we doing–right now–to make ourselves a better player? Where are we gaining physical and mental advantages? Who will we seek out to help us achieve our goals? Learn how Brian Kent answered these questions, strengthened his weaknesses, and put himself in a position to take advantage of a golden opportunity. A portion of Walked On’s book sales have been donated to the On Your Mark Coaching and Training Game Changes scholarship fund – thank you for contributing. Led by Nike Master Trainer and OYM leadership council member David Carson, Game Changers is an athletic training program designed to give Chicago’s youth the building blocks of performance and development. The scholarship awards qualified young athletes access to a high-level training experience, which will service the athlete both on and off the field. To learn more, donate, or train with us, visit oymtraining.com.