Student-athlete spotlight Clay Chandler

Southeast's right-handed pitcher Clay Chandler (6-2) has been playing sports all throughout his life and has seen much success at Southeast. He is hitting the last leg of his senior season as a Redhawk by continuing to pull in weekly awards and leading the conference in several catagories.

What made you want to become a baseball player?

I've always played sports like baseball and basketball. I really enjoyed playing basketball, but I was an outdoorsy person and I hated being in the gym. I hated going to school in the morning and being in the gym until dark, and I love playing baseball and I was pretty good at it so I decided to choose this path.

Was pitching your first position?

Actually, no, I was an infielder in high school and I always had a really good arm and when I went to a junior college, I really kind of got pushed out of position. I wasn't getting any opportunity, so I started pitching and it just kind of clicked for me.

Are there anything you do to prepare yourself for games, before or after?

Other than just normal, general arm ready, throwing in the bullpen. What really gets me prepared is being on a routine.

What's your favorite pitch?

My slider, it's probably been the most important pitch for me.

Who do you idolize?

My parents, if it wasn't for them it would be possible where I am today.

What do you do to improve your pitching, anything special?

It's more of a mental thing for me. I just got to prepare myself every week to do the same thing, if there's ever mechanical issues I try to correct them in my bullpen instead of in the game.

Hometown?

La Center, Kentucky. Ballard County is about 20 minutes south of Paducah, about an hour from here.

Do you have any brothers and sisters?

I have two younger brothers. My middle brother goes to Murray State and my youngest brother is a junior in high school.

Favorite musical artist?

AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, stuff like that. I like old-school music. I listen to rap just like most people, but if I was going to a concert it would be something rock n' roll.

What is your major?

Business administration and I'm getting a minor in finance. I'm not sure what I want to do with it yet since I've been playing baseball and it's been kind of hard getting work experience to know what you'll like to do. My goal would be a financial planner, or something involved with financial analysis.

What advice would you give younger players?

Never stop working. Coming out of high school, I had two schools talking to me about playing baseball in junior college, and when I got there I was so outmatched as far as talent. I'm a really big competitor, so once I saw I had to step it up or I wasn't even going to get a shot, that's when things started clicking for me and I started competing.

Who was a coach that pushed you in baseball?

My high school coach, Jeff Sadler. he was a really good coach and mentor. When you're at that age, it's really important that there is someone there to teach you the game the right way. He went about his business really well. He was my coach from like fourth or fifth grade to all the way to my senior year in high school.

How would you describe yourself?

I always want to be good with everybody, I always make sure I have a smile on my face, you know, everybody I come in contact with I say hi or I make sure I have a good impression on that person. It's something that my parents taught me to be and you can never go wrong.