Q&A With Drew George
Drew George spent two seasons with the Beavers, playing in 94 games, including 81 starts. George hit four home runs as a Beaver, collecting 44 runs batted in, 18 doubles and three triples. He came to Oregon State prior to the 2007 season from Lower Columbia Community College, where he lettered for two seasons and helped guide the club to an 82-14 record. With Oregon State, the Lebanon, Ore., native, helped guide the Beavers to a 77-42 record and national title in 2007.
George recently sat down with to reflect on his Oregon State career.
OSU: You spent two years at Oregon State. What stands out about your tenure here?
Drew George: “Besides winning the National Championship one year, the friendships that I made because they’re going to last longer for more than the two years that I was here. Even though, obviously, winning the national championships was the greatest experience that I could have ever imagined.”
OSU: Can you recall your feeling after winning that championship in 2007?
DG: “The thing about the game is that since we were ahead by so much, we had an advantage and knew that we were going to win, but it took a little while to settle in because we were in shock for the first couple of days after.”
OSU: Has the feeling really settled in, even now, that you won that title?
DG: Yeah, it has, especially during this last season because our main focus was to make it back. I didn’t really have the time to really think about it much. It took me a whole career to finally realize that we actually won one.”
OSU: How special was it for you to be a part of the senior class and be honored on the field before the last game?
DG: “It was really special, but it was also bittersweet, because you’ve been with the same group of guys for so long. It’s really cool. I really respect the senior guys and everybody on the team because we worked really hard, we’re always together and get along well. I couldn’t think of a better group of guys to go out with.”
OSU: At some point in the near and distant future, this group could be spread out across the U.S. Even then, could you still see the senior group as a family?
DG: “Yeah, I don’t know think that we’ll lose contact because everyone is pretty close. It’s like an Oregon State tradition to remain close.”
OSU: What did the coaching staff mean to you as a player and a person?
DG: “The best thing about the coaching staff here is that every coach has their role and they work well. Coach (Pat) Casey is a very good motivator; he can get you ready to play and he’s a great role model. Coach (Marty) Lees is the one I spent the most time with; he’s really educated in the hitting aspect. The coaches, off the field, are always there when we need them and that’s a really great thing to have, especially as seniors. Being able to trust that they’re going to be there for us is big.”
OSU: How do you want to be remembered by the Oregon State fans?
DG: “As the local guy that was a fan; basically one of the fans who actually got to play. I tried to play every game as hard as I could for the team, for my family and the fans.”
