The sun beamed down on the diamond, illuminating the faded chalk lines as three familiar faces emerged from the dugout.
The crisp spring air carried echoes of laughter and the unmistakable crack of bats connecting with balls. This was a sound that had defined their youth and shaped their identities.
In a place where their hearts once raced with excitement, it is now combined with a mix of nostalgia.
Southport alumni Mitchell Unversaw, Mikey Takacs and Jainel Matos all found a home within the SHS baseball team during their high school years.
Eventually, they all made their way back to the program. But this season, they came back as coaches.
“Throughout my life, I have looked up to my coaches and seen them as father figures,” Unversaw said. “I have seen the impact my coaches have made, and I hope I can have a fraction of that impact on my players.”
This season, head coach Brendan Dudas was looking for more than someone who simply knew the game of baseball.
Although he wasn’t searching for new coaches, he likes to give his former players the opportunity to come back to the program.
He believes that the best leadership comes from those who are both passionate about the game and can represent their school in a positive manner.
Luckily, Dudas knew exactly who would fit this role.
“It’s important to get people involved who are passionate about Southport and really care about being a Cardinal,” Dudas said. “Alumni are the perfect fit for that.”
When he asked the alumni to return, Dudas says they were extremely excited and shocked by the opportunity.
While they are excited to be back, all three coaches believe it has been hard to draw a line between being a coach and a friend as they step into the positions that hold more influence over the young men they once competed alongside.
Finding a balance between discipline, coaching and friendship has proven to be a difficult task when the players still see them as peers rather than authority figures.
“Transitioning from player to coach has definitely been a challenge for me,” Matos said. “I find myself wanting to celebrate and goof off with them as if I’m still a player.”
As they have reunited to share their passion for the sport with the next generation of athletes, a unique bond has formed among them, strengthening their friendship and bringing them closer together.
“I’m really grateful to have the chance to coach with two of my former teammates,” Takacs said. “It has been an amazing experience, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this team.”
