Don’t ever expect Brian “BJ” Dudeck to back down on the baseball field.
Considering his ambition in life, he’s not afraid of too much.
“My ultimate goal is to get drafted to play professional baseball,” Dudeck said. “I also have the desire to serve our country. If I don’t get drafted I definitely want to be a marine.
“The most idealistic job for me in the marines would be a door gunner or crew chief on a helicopter. They basically operate the weapons on the side of the aircraft. I think flying is pretty cool. I’m sure if they were brought to my attention, other positions in the Marines would appeal to me as well. I’m ruling nothing out as of now.”
The Hamilton Township product and Princeton Day School outfielder took the right step in both of those directions after recently signing to play baseball at Virginia Military Institute next year. As a member of the Big South Conference, VMI has had 18 players drafted over the past nine years, which was part of its lure for Dudeck. And, of course, it’s certainly the right place to learn to be a door gunner or helicopter crew chief.
With a chance to attend schools such as James Madison, Old Dominion, Gardner Webb, Army, Navy, Marist, Mount St. Mary’s, Long Island University and possibly Boston College, Dudeck chose a school that will offer him a much rougher road than non-military schools. And while the schools at West Point and Annapolis have more tradition, VMI offered everything Dudeck needed.
“I chose VMI because of the combination of respected academics and the military option,” he said. “And also a fantastic group of coaches, the program’s ability to send players to the Major Leagues and the chance to play for a team that has risen to as high as a No. 25 ranking in NCAA polls in recent years.”
Dudeck admitted that baseball played a big part in his decision “but did not define it.” He is following in the footsteps of his cousin, Brendan Dudeck, who plays football for Navy, and his grandfather, Dave Dudeck, who served as a marine after pitching for Trenton State (now The College of New Jersey).
“Athletic military men just seem to be in the blood,” said Dudeck, who plans to major in business at VMI. “You’re not required to commission into the military after VMI, but if you choose to do so, it leaves you ranked at the same level as a graduate of West Point or Navy. This option works heavily in my favor.
“It came as a pleasant surprise to the coaching staff that I never had to be sold on the military aspect of VMI. Brendan, who is one of my biggest role models, handled the balance of sports and military lifestyle in a great manner, which left me with no worries at all. It would be a dream come true to fight for our country alongside Brendan one day.”
Dudeck has made the marines his service of choice because of his grandfather’s history and the probability of Brendan joining the corps after his graduation. He is impressed by the tradition of the marines as well as the various job opportunities. He knows, of course, that it won’t be easy, as VMI won’t be a world filled with frat parties and football Saturdays between classes.
“There will be several challenges I’ll have to meet, many of which will probably surprise me when I get down there this summer,” he said. “The biggest one will be school coupled with the military aspect. I’m required to train with a branch of our country’s defense, and I will choose the marines.”
Aside from training, there are numerous other differences between a VMI student as opposed to other schools. Dudeck will room with up to four other cadets and sleep on a narrow bed resembling a folding table. The bed — known as a “hay” — must be folded each morning and placed against the wall for easier maneuvering around the room. Uniforms will be worn and wake-up is 6:30 a.m. Schedules in term of reporting to classes, training and meals are identical; lights out is between 11 p.m. and midnight, and freshmen’s ability to leave campus is limited.
“I’m sure I’ll encounter plenty of new adjustments,” Dudeck said. “I’ll have to make due as I go on.”
Obviously, the next four years and beyond will demand discipline and a regimented mindset for Dudeck. PDS baseball coach Ray O’Brien feels his athlete has what it takes. O’Brien hasn’t seen Dudeck handle a firearm, but figures his work ethic coupled with maturity will transfer well to VMI.
“He’s lived a regimented life at PDS, he has a schedule and sticks to it,” O’Brien said. “His time management skills and discipline are all in place. When BJ came in as a freshman, he had the work ethic right from day one, always willing to work hard. I think with some maturation, his self discipline and leadership role grew in over time.
“He had some good role models, his father (Brian, a PDS assistant) is a disciplined guy, and I think he learned a lot to from his cousin Dave (who plays football at Boston College), and how Dave handled himself and how hard he worked. And he emulated that and grew into that role. It was a process for him. He came in and was willing to work hard, he just needed some direction how to do it and what to do. It all fell into place.”
O’Brien noted that on the Panthers’ trip to Florida in March, the team had to be up for breakfast at 7 a.m. but Dudeck was already awake and working out at the Gold’s Gym across from the hotel at 5.
“I’ve had a lot of kids who know how to say the right things and talk a good game, but BJ does it,” the coach said. “It’s not what you say it’s what you do. BJ does it. A kid like that has to rub off on the program.
“Everybody wants to come in and play and do well, but a lot of people don’t know how to get there. How you get there is you take a million ground balls, you take extra batting practice and you’re in the weight room. You have to come in every day and make yourself better, not go through motions. That’s what BJ brings to the table.”
Dudeck considers himself a disciplined person, as he follows a similar routine every day. He is up by 6, out of the house by 6:30 and at school by 6:50. He then works out until 7:55, gets to first period at 8:10. After classes it is off to practice (he also played basketball), then back home.
“My dad has been my biggest role model, and has instilled these values in me, probably the same way his father did in him,” Dudeck said. “He stresses getting up every day and getting your work done. He also stresses a great work ethic. He doesn’t just preach it either. From tee-ball till now he’s the first one ready to throw me batting practice or hit me baseballs to practice fielding.
“The biggest things he has taught me are to never quit and when you commit to a cause, go all in and do it with passion. He is very regimented and it has made me very regimented. My uncle David Dudeck (Princeton Police Chief and Hun football coach) has taught me many similar morals while educating me deeply about the college recruiting process.”
It has all paid off in a stellar baseball career. Dudeck hit over .300 as a sophomore at PDS and began to draw recruiters’ interest last year by hitting .379, with three triples, two homers, 16 RBI, a .638 slugging percentage and .471 on-base percentage. And that was after a slow start.
He’s looking to end his high school career in a big way.
“I’m very excited for this season,” said Dudeck, who has three township teammates in Cole McManimon, Jake Alu and Sam Guarino. “We could definitely surprise some people if we play clean, crisp baseball. We’ll smoke the ball up and down the lineup, we just have to execute on the mound and in the field. It’s a short season and we acknowledge the opportunity we have to win the state and possibly the MCT tournament.
“It’s been an incredible opportunity that Coach O’Brien and PDS have given me to attend their school, and I would love to finish it with a couple championships to show my gratitude.”
Dudeck obviously has a lot going for him in his life and the best thing is, he takes none of it for granted.
“I just want to thank God for giving me such an easy path to success,” he said. “I’m blessed to wake up every day with a fully functioning body and good health. The resources and people were always right there for me to come in and work hard every day.
“Also, I can’t thank my family enough, they’ve given me the time, support, love and some more love to figure all this out. Time is the most valuable investment of all, and that is what so many people have given me.”
Dudeck has every intention of giving it all back—to his family, teammates and country.
,
