Odom thankful for opportunities Huntingdon has provided
This week is NCAA Division III Week and member institutions across the country are celebrating the second-year event.
Division III Week, which began Monday and runs through Sunday, is intended to recognize the academic and athletic accomplishments as well as the campus leadership and community service efforts of Division III student-athletes.
As part of Huntingdon College's participation in Division III Week, four student-athletes will be featured this week. Huntingdon junior Joseph Odom is today's featured student-athlete.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Huntingdon junior Joseph Odom remembers his first visit to campus. Almost immediately, he knew Huntingdon College was where he wanted to be.
"It just felt like home," Odom said. "I liked the atmosphere. Coming from Vestavia Hills High School, there were tons of people and you didn't even know everyone in your class. Here, you have the opportunity to get to know your classmates by name. We're all trying to get through the same things and trying to accomplish similar goals and we can relate to each other.
"It's a blessing to be at Huntingdon College and I couldn't be happier with my decision to come here."
Odom said one thing he continually heard while being recruited for baseball was that at Huntingdon he would be part of a family.
"I found out that was true when I joined the baseball team. I've made lifelong friends here," Odom said. "It's been fun to watch our team grow and get stronger each year. My freshman year we had a good season and reached the conference championship game. Last year, we had a better year and we won the conference title. This year, our goals have been even higher.
"We have 15 seniors and we've expected more. We've played and beaten some nationally ranked teams and tried to take care of business. We've got eight games left and each of them is important to us. We want to play well, finish strong and hopefully earn a bid to the playoffs."
Through Saturday's doubleheader at Covenant, Odom has been part of 76 wins with the Hawks in three seasons. He has been a key part of Huntingdon's 23-9 record this year with 13 home runs and 51 RBIs. The 13 home runs are the most in a season by a Hawk during the NCAA era. Entering this week, Odom led Division III in home runs and was tied for second in RBIs.
The success this season, coupled with his performance in the Valley League last summer has drawn attention. While playing in the 12-team Valley League, against Division I, Division II and Division III players, Odom caught the attention of pro scouts. Scouts have been a common scene at most Huntingdon games this season.
"I thank our coaches for the opportunity to play in the Valley League. It was a great opportunity," Odom said. "Playing with and against that kind of competition, it was sink or swim. Fortunately I did well and it got the attention of some scouts.
"It's been an interesting process having scouts at so many of our games this year, but I've tried not to really think about them being there. I've just tried to keep my head down, keep working hard, play the best I can and help our team win. Helping this team win is the most important thing to me right now."
Name: Joseph Odom
Year: Junior
Major: Exercise Science
Hometown: Vestavia Hills, Ala.
Sport: Baseball
Athletic accomplishments: Odom is a three-year starter for the Hawks at catcher. He earned conference Freshman of the Year honors in 2011 and was All-Conference as a sophomore. Following his sophomore season, Odom played in the Valley League and earned a spot in the All-Star Game and Home Run Derby. Through the most recent standings released by the NCAA earlier this week, Odom leads Division III in home runs and is tied for second in RBIs. His 13 home runs this season are the most by a Hawk during the NCAA era. For his collegiate career, Odom has 27 home runs and 136 RBIs.