A minor setback for a major comeback is SUNY Cobleskill baseball player Frank Leger's motto.

Coming from the Bronx, New York to attend Cobleskill has been a major transition for Leger. He was forced to put baseball on the back burner as Covid-19 began to spread rapidly and forced numerous restrictions. There was no time for in-person classes, sports, and inter-personal contact. He was unfortunately forced to leave campus to proceed with online courses while putting his baseball career on a brief hold.

"Sophomore year Covid-19 hit, the school allowed me to gain another year" stated Leger. He was granted another year to play baseball by the NCAA and the college, but missed the opportunity to strengthen and improve his skills. However, the Fighting Tiger infielder was more than ready to get back to baseball and begin working to advance his skills as a fifth-year student.

  According to Leger, "Having the extra year was an honor. In life you have to adjust to new situations and this took a lot of adjusting. But it was worth it."

The Bronx native views his fifth-year at Cobleskill as a learning experience. Although, Covid was unfortunate, Leger saw it as an opportunity to grow under unusual and unexpected circumstances.

 "This is Leger's fifth-year in our program. He is an everyday starter and continues to take on the majority of the leadership role" stated SUNY Cobleskill Head Baseball Coach Austin Straub. Coach Straub explained that Leger is looked up to by his fellow teammates because he passes down knowledge he's acquired learned through many different experiences over his career.

"Frank is definitely the veteran of the team; the boys are going to ride his momentum. He's also is like a secondary coach who expects to make the most of himself," said Coach Straub.

A "secondary coach" in the eyes of one's head coach is a title that not many can gain or maintain and Leger holds himself to high standards to maintain this status. His fellow teammates look up to him and are inspired by his mindset and athletic ability.

 Although returning as a fifth-year student was a lot for Leger to process, he reflects on his time at Cobleskill and says that he enjoys the people he's met, the lessons he's learned, and experiences he has had while here.
 "It's all so funny, I chose SUNY Cobleskill because of baseball. My athletic director reached out to me my senior year and suggested I reach out to schools. Somehow I just knew Cobleskill was the place for me" he mused.

Leger sought to play for the Fighting Tigers, and perhaps fate brought the two together. Not only did it bring them together from a baseball standpoint, but the college has contributed to his overall growth as a person. He insists that he has developed his leadership skills and became a role model to younger teammates throughout his years at Cobleskill.  He believes that this has become a major factor in his life which he appreciates.

As he said, "As I got to keep playing baseball for another year I have gained so many leadership skills and become someone people look up to. This would not have happened without all these mentors around me. From my coaches down to my professors they have contributed a lot to my mentality and I plan to keep growing from all these experiences."

 Leger appreciates all these advisors and mentors he has had around him throughout the years that have made his college experience worthwhile. He clicks with these mentors and will continue to use everything they have taught him while here throughout his life. An extra year for extra lessons is what he has been able to learn from and count on to continue success.

 A team that bonds is a team that wins and Leger makes sure the Fighting Tigers baseball team sticks together to win games and thrive in their division. Throughout his baseball career with the program, Leger has played in 99 games . In those 99 games, he has amassed 79 hits, five home runs, 57 runs batted in and 59 runs scored.

All this success could not have been accomplished without the help and encouragement of his teammates, the coaching staff and the Athletic Department.

"I have a great relationship with my teammates. I really must thank the coaches and athletic department because they definitely did a good job when it came time to recruiting players that fit in. Even after Covid hit our bond as a team grew strong, I guess it made us realize how much we needed one another" said Leger.

Leger constantly shows appreciation for his teammates and enjoys the time he has had to share with them. He believes that they have made a large contribution in his success as a baseball player. Even though his fellow teammates look up to him as a role model, he has taken lessons from each and every one of them. He has high hopes that they will continue to play strong even after his graduation.

 "I have seen a lot of growth in myself through my years here at SUNY Cobleskill. Not only as an athlete but as a student. There has been a lot of character development and I am proud to be where I am today," reflected Leger.

 Frank Leger has made a name here for himself at SUNY Cobleskill. He is proud of the accomplishments that he has had as a member of the baseball program throughout the years. He is well respected by the campus, athletic department, and by fellow Cobleskill students.

His Covid experience has provided him with opportunities for growth and he plans to continue to embrace this growth. The lessons that he has taken from his time at the college will be applied to lifetime situations moving forward. The campus can be proud to say that it has made a meaningful impact on a young man who has become a respected student-athlete and team leader: Frank Leger.