Tarek Emara Commits to the NAIA Saint Xavier University Cougars in Chicago, Illinois

Titans 18U Centerfielder Tarek Emara’s post-secondary destination will be Chicago, Illinois after he committed to the Saint Xavier University Cougars on Thursday afternoon.  The speedy CPBL All-Star became the fourth Titan from the Class of 2023 to sign a letter of intent with a US College. Emara explained his rationale for selecting the oldest university in Chicago, Illinois: “When the Titans visited SXU during our college trip this year, it immediately struck me as a school I could see myself attending. Once Coach Addison Rouse had a talk with us after our game, I fell in love with the program. It felt like everything he said to us was exactly what I was looking for in a Coach and program. Coach Addi is one of those coaches who gets the best out of his players through his excellent coaching ways. On top of such a great baseball program with a rich history, I will be getting a great education at SXU.”

The resident of Pickering, Ontario is also looking forward to living in The Windy City: “There are tons of great things about the beautiful city of Chicago. It has great architecture, very diverse, amazing food selection, and lots of exciting sports teams. I cannot wait to visit the legendary Wrigley Field. I cannot imagine myself ever not having something to do in a city like Chicago; there’s always going to be something new I can try. Another great thing about living in Chicago is I’m living close to family members who live in Michigan so I’ll be able to see them more often!”

The Honor Roll graduate of St. Mary’s Catholic High School in Pickering, Ontario has a two-step education plan while he studies at SXU which was founded in 1846:   “I will be majoring in business at SXU. The school has one of the best business programs in the whole country! After receiving my business degree, I plan on also getting my chiropractic degree.” 

As a student-athlete, Emara is setting lofty athletic and academic goals while he plays for and studies at one the oldest universities in the American Midwest:   “SXU is a team that has a NAIA College World Series shot every year. To help bring a national championship to the school is my biggest athletic goal for my time there. I am big on shooting for the stars. I hope to leave the program being one of if not the best player to ever wear a Cougars uniform! It would be a dream come true to either be drafted or signed by a pro team! Academically speaking, I would like to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA in my time at SXU. Balancing my school work and baseball is going to take great time management, but I am up for the challenge!”

The affable centerfielder acknowledged that the Titans coaching staff helped him find that balance between school work and baseball: “Coach Denis Bailey, Coach Al Bailey, Coach Graham, Coach Vera, Coach Stewart, and the entire coaching staff have been a huge help to me since the day I’ve met them. At the end of this process, they helped me weigh my school options and told me what I will get from each school. Coach Bailey connected me with Coach Rouse and explained to me how great of a fit it is.” 

The veteran Titan reflected on his outstanding career with the ball club and isolated a specific American excursion as his favorite moment in navy and orange:  “The highlight of my Titans career has to be our Florida trip during the 2022 Spring Break. I will never forget the memories we made on that trip playing ball down south. My teammates are like brothers to me, so that trip felt like a family vacation while doing what I love most: playing baseball! I couldn’t ask for much more than that!”

Emara took time to offer a variety of timely academic and athletic strategies for the younger Titans who want to play US College baseball:  “Manage your time well. Get your school work done as early as possible so you can do your training not worrying about homework or assignments. Team practices are great for improving as a team, but not as much individually. If you want to improve your game, you have to work on your game on your own time either at home or the field house. Find a program or speak with a coach you think can help you and make a plan then follow through. Take advantage of the knowledge around you. Every coach in the program knows lots of valuable information that can benefit anyone. Ask them anything. Lastly, I want to say, get in the gym. It will change your life. I’m speaking from experience. Why wouldn’t you want to get bigger, stronger, faster, more athletic, and less prone to injury? Get in the gym!”

Congratulations, Tarek, on your commitment to the Saint Xavier University Cougars.  The Titans Baseball Club is proud of your choice to study at and play for one of the oldest universities in the American Midwest in one of the great cities of North America.  All the best in Chicago during the ‘23-24 NAIA season and in your final CPBL season with the 18U Titans.