Cole Emerson – Senior – Elementary Education
-When did you start playing baseball? How did you get into it?
CE: I had to have been three or four years old. My sister played softball her whole life and she’s six years older than me, so I remember growing up and just always being at the baseball fields or softball fields. I think I played on my first team around 4 years old. My dad and my whole family has always been big into sports, especially baseball- that has always been kind of our go-to.
-Throughout your baseball career, who has influenced you the most?
CE: My grandpa. When my sister was traveling for her softball tournaments, my dad would coach her and my grandpa would always bring me to most of my games. Even here at Washburn, I don’t know of a home game that he’s missed. He comes to everything, which is awesome.
-What has been your most exciting moment in your career at Washburn?
CE: I’ve really enjoyed all the people I’ve met. I love the family I’ve made here at Washburn with the baseball team. That’s probably the most exciting thing- every single year, being able to be around those guys every day. You can’t beat that- getting to hang out with everyone every day.
-You’re studying elementary education. What made you decide to pursue that degree/career?
CE: I love the impact that I can have. That’s the biggest thing that drew me in when I was searching for what I wanted to do. My sister is a fourth-grade teacher so I would always go help out in her classroom. Then, once I’ve got around my own students now, I’ve just loved that I can really help build them up from basic information and see them grow in just a semester or year. I’d like to teach middle school social studies. I love that age of kids, they’re fun and they stick up for themselves. I would also like to coach baseball or football.
-Hidden talents?
CE: I can solve a Rubik’s Cube in about under a minute. My cousin was doing it and I wanted to learn it and try to beat him. It was fueled my competition.
-If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
CE: I’d love to go to Europe, like Italy to see the artifacts. Somewhere like Rome to see all the historical stuff that’s still standing, I think that’d be awesome.
-Craziest thing on your bucket list?
CE: I’d love to go cage diving with sharks. I think that would be a cool experience.
-What other interesting hobbies or interests do you have?
CE: Golf is a hobby. Being outdoors, hunting and fishing are probably my go-to’s. I have a 1978 Ford Bronco so I love just working on it, driving it and getting involved with that. I love doing stuff with that.
-Favorite quote?
CE: If you come to a fork in the road, take it. It could be literal or figurative and I think that’s kind of funny. I’ve been driving down the road and if I see a fork, I think well I might as well just go grab it. Then, there’s also forks in the road.
