By Tucker Paquette
In 28 years at the helm of the baseball program at Springfield College, Mark Simeone has learned plenty of lessons. As both a coach and an Associate Professor of Physical Education at the school, he has taught many of them as well – both on the field and in the classroom.
Simeone, who earned his 500th career win earlier this season, was a four-year standout in the outfield for Springfield before graduating in 1987. He began his coaching career at Amherst College, then returned to his alma mater as a graduate assistant under his former coach, Chuck Roys, while he pursued a Master’s degree in Physical Education.
From 1993-1996, Simeone served as head coach of Division II American International College before returning to Springfield College to take over when Roys retired at the end of the 1996 season. Since then, Simeone’s career has been a tale of commitment and service to those around him on Alden Street.
At Springfield, all full-time head coaches also are professors. That unique teacher-coach model allows them to see their players as students too. Beyond the confines of the diamond, the human aspect of being a baseball player is important to Simeone, who believes there is a lot of overlap between baseball and life.
“It’s [crucial to develop] those kinds of skills and it's so prevalent through the game of baseball because it's a very difficult game to play,” Simeone said. “There's a lot of failure, so perseverance, attention to detail, work ethic and being a leader [are musts]. So many great values and characteristics [are] developed through baseball – and all of sport – that can be utilized in life.”
When dealing with college kids, Simeone recognizes that they won’t always make the best decisions. He understands this, and uses his own past experiences, as well as the influence he has in his role, to help his players learn.
“I think about 18 to 22 year olds, and remember being there myself and being so influenced by my coach and the teachers I had at Springfield,” Simeone said. “That's the time when you're trying to really figure out what you want to do for the rest of your life. So, I feel privileged to be able to potentially be part of that growth and development through athletics.”
His tireless work ethic is one of Simeone’s defining characteristics, according to graduate assistant coach Ben Arnold, who played for Simeone and now coaches alongside him.
“[It’s impressive] how much in-depth thinking he does, and how much time he spends on small day-to-day activities that matter so much to a team over the course of a season,” Arnold said. “If [at] 9 o'clock on a Saturday I ask him about something that happened in a game against MIT, he'll have an answer for me.”
Simeone wants Springfield’s locker room to be filled with high-character people. A quality that suggests strong character, and one that Simeone looks for in all of his players, is trustworthiness. He also places a premium on dependability.
In fact, this trait is so important to Simeone that it’s one of the first things Simeone and his staff look for when they are first introduced to prospective players.
“At the beginning of the year when we have our baseball [tryouts], the most obvious thing [we’re looking for] is the ability to play college baseball at a [high] level,” Simeone said. “But [we also want] someone we can rely upon, someone that represents us the right way.”
Simeone tries to set an example. One way he does this is by emphasizing the importance of staying even-keeled throughout games – and seasons. The way he sees it, there’s too much unpredictability in baseball to do things any other way, and being too reactionary doesn’t always end well.
“I think it's never being too high or too low,” Simeone said, “and realizing that in baseball, things can change on a dime.”
To Simeone, the process of winning and improving is a very simple one: players do what they’re supposed to do, and good things will likely happen.
“You work together, you make plays, you get timely hits,” Simeone said. “Pitchers throw strikes and get hitters out. [This recipe typically] leads to victory. You don't have control over everything, but when you do things well and you do them well together, you have better chances to be successful. I always hope that motivates players to continue to do those types of things, continue to work together, continue to try to be better every day.”
While Simeone relies on his team to operate as a cohesive unit, he still makes sure to give each individual what they need to succeed.
Specifically, Arnold sees insight into pitching as a strength of Simeone’s, and one that he shares effectively with his fellow coaches and players.
“In terms of pitching, [he has] a wealth of knowledge,” Arnold said. “If you have any questions, he will most likely have an answer. I was a very raw pitcher [my freshman year]. I didn't really have much in terms of coaching growing up in a small town. Coach really helped me fine-tune my mechanics and figure out cues that worked for me on the mound.”
When these strategies do pay dividends and the Pride find themselves in the win column, it makes the constant work and consistent approach seem worth it.
“Seeing our players’ success, individually [and] certainly collectively for the good of [everyone is so rewarding],” Simeone said. “Seeing [players improve] and really seeing the development of young people.”
Arnold recalled a moment from a team trip to Florida that illustrates Simeone’s investment in his players and overall passion for the game.
The Pride had just snapped a small losing skid, coming back to win a game 5-4.
“To see the emotion that he had after the game and [being] so excited just shows why he cares so much,” Arnold said. “[It’s great] when a coach is that excited not for himself, but for his players.”
According to Arnold, Simeone’s focus on the players goes beyond what happens on the field.
“He's a very player-oriented coach,” Arnold said. “He cares more than any coach I've ever [been] around. He truly cares about his guys, whether that's in the classroom or on the field. He cares so much about us that we are forced to care that much about each other.”
Simeone’s awareness of the situations of those around him extends beyond members of the Pride’s clubhouse, however.
“If there's anything going on, it could be [someone] received an award that even their teammates haven't heard about, he knows about everything that the players are doing all the time,” Arnold said. “I think that really helped develop me, my teammates and other players as leaders on the team.”
Earlier this season, Simeone noticed that graduate student and starting pitcher Blake Roberge’s parents came to most of the team’s games. This small, but meaningful gesture stuck in Roberge’s memory.
“He's really genuine,” Roberge said. “[He] talks about his family a lot. He's really personal with the kids on the team and tries to understand kids deeper than just baseball. “I think that's a good quality [for a coach] to have.”
Being so in tune with players through all of the ups and downs of a season isn’t something Simeone views as a responsibility. Rather, he sees it as a privilege, one that keeps him as motivated as ever 28 years into his tenure at Springfield College.
“When you're with those guys and you're [battling] and having struggles and celebrating successes, that's really the joy in seeing guys that find a way to persevere and come together,” Simeone said. “[The best part of the job is] being part of that process with the guys that wear the baseball uniform here in Springfield.”
Earlier this year, Simeone was inducted into the Western Massachusetts Baseball Hall of Fame. However, his priorities on the day of the ceremony exemplified his unwavering focus on the team.
“[It’s] not that he wanted nothing to do with the ceremony, because obviously he wanted to be there, but all he wanted to think about was how we were going to prepare for the [upcoming road] trip,” Arnold said. “And he made that very evident at our practices, that if he had it his way, he would be at that practice. That's why he's in the Hall, because it's all he cares about. He's focused on Springfield baseball, on making us better, making himself better.”
Photos courtesy of Springfield College Athletics