After making two trips to Omaha as a player, Steve Bondurant returns to Omaha as a member of the team's staff. Now in his third season as academic advisor for the baseball team,
Bondurant pitched for South Carolina from 2000-03 and compiled a 14-7 career record, competing in the '02 and '03 College World Series. His seventh win of the 2002 season was in the elimination game in the CWS against Clemson and propelled the Gamecocks to the national championship game. We caught up with "Bondo" on Friday while the team took batting practice:
What's it feel like to come back to Omaha as a part of the team and not as a player?
It's a little bit different. I can be more relaxed and enjoy the moment. Back then, I was worrying about our next opponent. It's nice to come back here and it brings back a lot of good memories. This stadium has changed so much even since I played here with the added seating.
What's something that sticks out in your mind from your time here?
The atmosphere and the way that people treat you when you're here. It's a neutral site and you've got fans from all over, but they treat you nicely. It's not like going to an opponent's park where everyone's against you. It's a great environment and the crowds get loud and get crazy. They're so hospitable here and everyone wants an autograph. After a game, everyone's congratulating you no matter what team they're pulling for. Everybody is happy to be here and it's a big vacation-type thing for them and they're just enjoying the moment.
What kind of advice have you given the players about handling the spotlight of the CWS?
I've talked to them a lot throughout the year about Omaha and they always ask me questions about the experience. The biggest thing is to just enjoy it. Just telling them to relax. Obviously they're going to be pumped up and anxious, but once they get out there, it's just baseball. These guys are relaxed and they've always played loose so they're going to have a good time.
Do you think the new stadium will have an impact on the atmosphere?
I hope not. Obviously the first year will be a little different. But the atmosphere around the stadium is what makes it unique. It's going to be different to get used to that but it's going to be a great environment at the stadium. I'm sure they'll be setting up tents right outside it. It looks amazing. It's going to be nice no matter what they do - this area is just perfect for baseball.
What's something you hope to do now that you couldn't do as a player?
When I was here before, we went and ate at some nice places and stuff, but we didn't really seek out. We just kind of followed everybody. Now I can choose what I want to do. Obviously, I'm still working and I've got a bunch of students back home I've got to worry about. Before I couldn't soak up the moment, but now I can enjoy it as a fan.
Bondurant pitched for South Carolina from 2000-03 and compiled a 14-7 career record, competing in the '02 and '03 College World Series. His seventh win of the 2002 season was in the elimination game in the CWS against Clemson and propelled the Gamecocks to the national championship game. We caught up with "Bondo" on Friday while the team took batting practice: What's it feel like to come back to Omaha as a part of the team and not as a player?
It's a little bit different. I can be more relaxed and enjoy the moment. Back then, I was worrying about our next opponent. It's nice to come back here and it brings back a lot of good memories. This stadium has changed so much even since I played here with the added seating.
What's something that sticks out in your mind from your time here?
The atmosphere and the way that people treat you when you're here. It's a neutral site and you've got fans from all over, but they treat you nicely. It's not like going to an opponent's park where everyone's against you. It's a great environment and the crowds get loud and get crazy. They're so hospitable here and everyone wants an autograph. After a game, everyone's congratulating you no matter what team they're pulling for. Everybody is happy to be here and it's a big vacation-type thing for them and they're just enjoying the moment.
What kind of advice have you given the players about handling the spotlight of the CWS?
I've talked to them a lot throughout the year about Omaha and they always ask me questions about the experience. The biggest thing is to just enjoy it. Just telling them to relax. Obviously they're going to be pumped up and anxious, but once they get out there, it's just baseball. These guys are relaxed and they've always played loose so they're going to have a good time.
Do you think the new stadium will have an impact on the atmosphere?
I hope not. Obviously the first year will be a little different. But the atmosphere around the stadium is what makes it unique. It's going to be different to get used to that but it's going to be a great environment at the stadium. I'm sure they'll be setting up tents right outside it. It looks amazing. It's going to be nice no matter what they do - this area is just perfect for baseball.
What's something you hope to do now that you couldn't do as a player?
When I was here before, we went and ate at some nice places and stuff, but we didn't really seek out. We just kind of followed everybody. Now I can choose what I want to do. Obviously, I'm still working and I've got a bunch of students back home I've got to worry about. Before I couldn't soak up the moment, but now I can enjoy it as a fan.
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