Antonio Callaway Is Experiencing A Field Of Dreams

Since he was a little boy Antonio Callaway has dreamed of playing collegiate baseball, and maybe even making it to the big leagues.  The 6 foot 195 pound centerfielder received a scholarship at Georgia State University after attending Chattahoochee Valley Community College. Not even being there a full year Callaway dropped out because he felt as if he didn’t fit into the program. Creating quite a stir from family, friends, and coaches, Callaway knew he had to get back into college to play the game he loved and further his education.  Ever the athlete, Callaway was out of organized baseball and school for two years but continued to train and continued to search for a college that would give him a chance.  He found that institution some 430 miles from his hometown of Lawrenceville, Georgia.  At University of Mount Olive Coach Carl Lancaster took a gamble on Callaway and offered him an athletic scholarship and a starting position on the Trojan baseball team.  It is a decision Lancaster is glad he made.

“Antonio is a fine student athlete in every aspect, whether it is playing baseball, doing his schoolwork or just getting things done on time, you can always count on him,” Lancaster said. “Antonio has tremendous character, and he is well liked by his professors and his fellow teammates.  We have been fortunate to have him.”

Callaway is making the most of his opportunity at MOC.  He has been named as a 2012 Division II Southeast Region “Player to Watch” by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA). He was the starting centerfielder on last year’s MOC team, which won the Conference Carolinas and NCAA II Southeast Regional championships, and tied for third in the nation at the National Finals.

In the classroom, Callaway has a 3.571 GPA majoring in business management with a minor in human resources. He has been named to the Conference Carolinas Presidential Honor Roll in each of the last three semesters.  No matter what life has in store for Callaway, he plans on earning his bachelor’s degree.  After all, he would be the first in his family to do so.  Callaway would also like to be drafted, and according to Coach Lancaster, “He is a guy that has all the tools to possibly make it to the next level.”  Callaway’s favorite team is the Oakland A’s, but he would be willing to play professional ball most anywhere, including overseas.

 “I’ve had several letters of interest, and I am keeping my options open,” he said.

Further visualizing his future, Callaway would like to use his business degree to work in the hospitality industry.  The outgoing young man known as GQ or Tone by his friends, definitely has the personality and the drive to succeed in whatever he sets his mind to. In his spare time whether he is working on recording a music CD or writing his first book Renaissance Man, Callaway gives every project his 110%.

Callaway is currently undertaking a project very near and dear to his heart.  Getting the inspiration from his parents, Callaway is working to create an on-campus nonprofit organization called “Trojans Helping Trojans.”  Using the skills he’s learned in the classroom Callaway envisions developing a food pantry for college kids.  The goal of the nonprofit organization would be to make easily accessible food options available to college students that might be struggling to make ends meet. As a student Callaway knows how financially challenging college can be, and this is his way of giving back.

To the donors that have helped make his scholarship opportunity possible, Callaway would like to pass on a simple but sincere, “Thank you.  Thank you so much for making my dreams possible.”