By JACK CLARK

jackclark@mvn.net



MT. VERNON — Another Mt. Vernon Township High School athlete has parlayed a prep career into a collegiate scholarship.

Steven Beckham has accepted a full educational and athletic scholarship to attend Olivet Nazarene University, a private Christian, liberal arts college in Bourbonnais.

MVTHS baseball coach Tim Holloway said that Olivet is the best school for Beckham’s particular situation.

“Steve is a person of strong character and faith,” said Holloway. “Olivet will provide a great environment for him to grow as a baseball player, as a student and as a Christian. That’s what we were looking for. It had to be the right fit.”

Last season, as a junior, Beckham pitched 43 innings, finishing 6-1 with an earned-run average of 1.95. He struck out 60 batters and walked only 17. Beckham threw four complete games, three shut-outs and a no-hitter.

Holloway said that he could be even better this spring for the Rams.

“Steve had great season on the mound last year,” Holloway said. “His velocity continues to improve. Early this winter, he’s in the mid to upper 80s. I think that he has a good future ahead of him.”

ONU coach Todd Reid looks forward to Beckham pitching for the Tigers.

“We are very excited about the signing of Steven Beckham. He is everything that we were looking for; a great athlete, an excellent student and a perfect fit Olivet Nazarene University,” said Reid. “He has the potential to make a big impact for the Tigers on the mound next year as a freshman.”

ONU competes as a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Division I level. The Tigers have won the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference baseball title four times in the last decade and the NAIA World Series twice in that same time-frame. The latest ONU player to make it to MLB is Ben Zobrist, with the Tampa Bay Rays.

“I think that coach Reid at ONU is excited about his potential,” said Holloway. “Last year, we used a lot of fastballs, because that was all that we needed. Steve was knee-high, hit the corners, didn’t need much off-speed stuff. I think that as he continues to develop that change-up and that breaking pitch, he’ll become even more effective, especially at the college level.”

Beckham already thinks that he made the right choice.

“I feel pretty good about it. I feel like it is a confident decision,” said Beckham. “It’s a good school. I visited there and I really liked it. I feel like it’s a good atmosphere for me for the next four years.”

During his four years at MVTHS, Beckham was named an Illinois State Scholar and a member of the National Honor Society. His grade point average is currently 4.061.

“That’s because of weighted grades (in some classes),” Beckham said. “In college, it’s a 4.0. But, in high school, it’s weighted.”

Beckham remains undecided about what he may do after college.

“I’m not completely sure yet,” Beckham said. “But, I think that I want to go into some kind of ministry. Like a music ministry. I would also like to speak to young people and maybe play music.”

Beckham plays guitar, piano and drums.

“I also sing a little bit,” Beckham said.

However, Beckham hasn’t ruled out playing baseball at a higher level.

“I’m not necessarily expecting to play professional baseball,” said Beckham. “But, if I get an offer, I’ll definitely consider it. It’s a goal. But, if it doesn’t happen, then it doesn’t happen.”