ST. THOMAS AQUINAS COLLEGE GRADUATE ANDREW AHN FINDS MINOR LEAGUE SUCCESS MEMBER OF KOREA’S GOYANG WONDERS

(December 9, 2013- SPARKILL, NY)—St. Thomas Aquinas College graduate Andrew Ahn has found success in Korea as a member of the Goyang Wonders, Korea's only independent professional baseball team, announced Scott Muscat, Head Coach of the St. Thomas Aquinas College Spartan Baseball team. 

Ahn (Long Island, NY) was a two time member of the ECC Commissioner Honor Roll and recipient of STAC Student-Athlete Honors.   He graduated, Magna Cum Laude, from St. Thomas in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.  Shortly after graduating, Ahn flew to Korea, his father’s homeland, where he became a member of the Goyang Wonders, Korea’s only independent professional team located north-west of Seoul.  The Wonders are managed by Kim Sung Geun, a well-known baseball manager in Korea.

 “The St. Thomas community is immensely proud of the hard work and dedication Andrew has displayed in pursuing his dream of becoming a professional athlete,” said Dr. Margaret M. Fitzpatrick, S.C., President of the College.  “His ability to excel on the field and in the classroom is no small feat, making Andrew a shining example for future STAC students and athletes to follow,” she added.

Ahn transferred to St. Thomas Aquinas College after being recruited by the Spartan baseball team.  As middle infielder he earned East Coast Conference player of the week honors and was also selected as an All Star in the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League while playing summer ball.  Ahn earned the nickname “Dr. Dependable”, leading the Spartans with 100 starting appearances and missing just one game in that span.

 “Andrew was the epitome of NCAA’s definition of a student-athlete, making a great effort every day both in the classroom and on the field,” said Muscat.  “Even as an amateur, he had a professional approach to his preparation so it is no surprise that he is playing in the Korean minor leagues,” he added.

Ahn has adjusted to the grueling life of a professional athlete.  “The spring camp I went to in Japan was my first professional spring camp and will probably be my hardest spring camp of my pro career,” recalled Ahn.  “It was physically and mentally draining as it was the toughest two months of my life,” he added.  With the current season coming to an end, there will likely be little rest for Andrew and the Wonders who are striving for success.

St. Thomas Aquinas College is committed to fostering its students’ development as global citizens.  The College recently signed a Reciprocal Student Exchange Program agreement with Kyung Hee University’s School of Management in Korea.  This is one of many opportunities for St. Thomas students to study abroad.  For more information about the College and its initiatives, visit www.stac.edu.  For more information about the Spartan Baseball Team and the College’s athletic programs, visit www.stacathletics.com.

St. Thomas Aquinas College is an independent liberal arts college located on 60 acres in Rockland County, NY which provides education at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The College’s 2,800 full and part time students can choose from more than 100 different majors, minors, specializations, and dual degree programs across three Schools: Arts & Sciences, Business, and Education. The College is recognized by U.S. News & World Report in the Top-Tier for Regional Universities, by Colleges of Distinction in both its New York and Catholic editions, by Affordable Colleges Online as a top College in New York for Return on Investment, and is included as a Military Friendly School®. St. Thomas Aquinas College is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools; its School of Education is accredited by National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE); and its School of Business is accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). For more information, visit www.stac.edu.