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More Than the Game: Johan Santana and Adam Piatt Inspire Middle Schoolers to Aim Higher - April 7, 2025
On April 7, 2025, our Middle School had the incredible honor of welcoming two professional athletes who brought more than just stories from the big leagues - they brought wisdom, humility, and a powerful message about the importance of character and education.
Johan Santana, a two-time Cy Young Award-winning pitcher and former Major League Baseball All-Star, and Adam Piatt, a former Major League Baseball outfielder and respected mentor, spoke to a packed gymnasium of eager students, faculty, and staff. But instead of talking stats and home runs, their focus was on something much more impactful: how success in life - and sports - is about more than talent.
"Being great on the field means nothing if you're not great off the field," Santana told the crowd. “When I was growing up in Venezuela, I had a dream of playing baseball. But my parents reminded me every day: school comes first. Because baseball can be taken away in an instant, but your mind and your character stay with you forever.”
Piatt echoed that sentiment, sharing how even as he pursued a professional sports career, he continued to challenge himself academically and personally. “I wasn’t the best player on every team,” he said. “But I was always one of the most disciplined. I knew that being a good teammate, a good student, and someone people could count on was what made me stand out.”
The athletes spoke candidly about the pressures that can come with chasing big dreams, but they emphasized the power of staying grounded through education, hard work, and kindness. They encouraged students to ask questions, take responsibility for their choices, and always strive to be well-rounded individuals, not just in sports but in life. Students walked away from the assembly inspired—not just to train harder but to think bigger, be kinder, and never stop learning. And that’s a win far greater than any game could ever offer.
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"Being great on the field means nothing if you're not great off the field," Santana told the crowd. “When I was growing up in Venezuela, I had a dream of playing baseball. But my parents reminded me every day: school comes first. Because baseball can be taken away in an instant, but your mind and your character stay with you forever.”
Piatt echoed that sentiment, sharing how even as he pursued a professional sports career, he continued to challenge himself academically and personally. “I wasn’t the best player on every team,” he said. “But I was always one of the most disciplined. I knew that being a good teammate, a good student, and someone people could count on was what made me stand out.”
The athletes spoke candidly about the pressures that can come with chasing big dreams, but they emphasized the power of staying grounded through education, hard work, and kindness. They encouraged students to ask questions, take responsibility for their choices, and always strive to be well-rounded individuals, not just in sports but in life. Students walked away from the assembly inspired—not just to train harder but to think bigger, be kinder, and never stop learning. And that’s a win far greater than any game could ever offer.
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