Jefferson Davis Community College’s Jacob Hedden will be attending Troy University beginning in the fall of 2013.
Hedden has been accepted by Troy University and has been accepted into the Troy University Athletic Department where he will serve as clubhouse manager for coach Bobby Pierce and the Troy baseball team.
“It feels absolutely wonderful to be accepted into Troy and to be a clubhouse manager for the baseball team,” Hedden said. “It is indeed a dream come true for me. I have always been fascinated with the idea of being around the sport of baseball itself, but to actually be around the professional atmosphere is unbelievable.”
Hedden said watching television one night helped him become interested in the job.
“I remember watching TV late at night on the ‘Rays Network’ and it was highlighting the crew that was involved in club house management,” Hedden said. “The idea of being around professional players and the feeling of it being my job is incredible. I have always loved baseball. It is my heart and soul. I was cut from my high school team the summer before my junior year. I played football for four years and loved it. But my heart was always in baseball. I came to JDCC in hopes to play again, but God had a bigger plan and coach (Darrell) Blevins gave me the opportunity to be the manager on full scholarship. It’s awesome. I just want to say never give up on your dream, but always believe in God’s plan. He will always lead you to victory.”
JDCC head coach Darrell Blevins said Hedden plans to take his skills to the professional level one day.
“I’m sure that would make for an exciting career,” Blevins said. “To a professional organization, these type positions are of extreme importance to the overall daily operation of the organization. Such a position involves a lot of hard work and long hours. Personal skills are also a must. Jacob has demonstrated such qualities since his arrival at Jeff Davis over a year ago.  He has been very instrumental and extremely helpful with everything that occurs with our Warhawk baseball program for sure. Being able to give him a task, and knowing that he is going to complete the task and it be done with quality is so important. It just opens avenues for us to get more done.”
Blevins said he and the Warhawks of JDCC are proud for Hedden.
“He gets an opportunity to pursue a degree from an outstanding university while being involved with athletics at the Division 1 level and our program takes another positive step in helping a young man develop skills that he will use in the future, and continue toward the goal of attaining a quality education,” Blevins said. “Another win-win for Jacob Hedden and JDCC.”