Titans “Dual Guy” Wyatt Slocum Commits to Garrett College Lakers in Maryland

The Titans College Placement team was pleased that 18U Wyatt Slocum became the seventh student-athlete from their Class of ’22 to commit to a US College. Even more satisfying for the organization was the veteran Titan’s opportunity to pitch and hit at the NJCAA level.   The Pitcher/Outfielder signed his letter of intent to attend Garrett College in McHenry, Maryland because “Coach Hallenbeck is letting [him] continue to be a dual player at the next level.” In addition to this assurance that he will throw strikes and swing the bat for GC, Slocum offered two other reasons for his commitment:  “After speaking to Coach Hallenbeck, I really liked his core values and how he believes the game should be played. Lastly, Coach Bailey had very high praise for Coach Hallenbeck and he thought that it would be a great fit for me.” 

The “fit” of the school and GC’s lakeside campus in western Maryland impressed the Keswick resident:  “The area that Garrett College is in looks like a really nice, blue collar town which is right up my alley.  As well, the school is on a lake which is a plus.”  Slocum feels like he’ll be right at home living on a campus nestled against Deep Creek Lake and he elaborated on his academic plans in this agreeable setting:  “My first year at Garrett will be to take general studies because I haven’t really figured out what I want to take or what interests me yet.” Although his major is undetermined, the Honor Roll Graduate of Keswick High School has clear-cut athletic and academic goals:  “One of my athletic goals as a student athlete is to improve my skills on both sides of the ball as a dual guy. I would also like to focus on bettering myself in the weight room so I can stay healthy throughout my time at Garrett. An academic goal I have is to find an area of study that I can see myself in once I graduate and for the rest of my life.” Slocum gave credit to College Placement Coordinator and Head Coach Denis Bailey for helping him with this phase of his life:  “Coach Bailey was the one who got me in contact with Coach Hallenbeck. He knew that coach Hallenbeck liked Canadians and was willing to take dual guys which is what made it a perfect fit.”  This kind of custom fit for graduating Titans—especially dual guys-- was amplified by Coach Bailey: “Wyatt has the ability to contribute at the next level on both sides of the ball. On the mound, he is a bulldog. At the plate, he has the ability to drive the ball deep.” The versatile veteran Titan to which Coach Bailey referred provided insights about playing for the organization for the last three years:  “The highlight of my career as a Titan is not only developing as a player but as a man and meeting a lot of new people and being a part of the baseball family we have.”  In closing, Slocum offered timely pearls of wisdom—both athletic and academic-- to the younger Titans players:  “Some advice that I would give to young athletes is that if you want to be the best, you have to act like the best and train like the best but most importantly, just have fun. I would also say to start working on your assignments the day you get them and don’t leave them to the last day; trust me it will save you a lot of stress.”

Congratulations, Wyatt, on your commitment as a dual player to the NJCAA D2 Garrett College Lakers. We know you’ll enjoy your new home away from home near Deep Creek Lake in McHenry, Maryland.  The Titans are proud of your achievements as a student-athlete.