DJ Schiersing: State Champ No. 3

DJ graduated from West Seneca East High School located just outside Buffalo where he played baseball and basketball. He was named an ECIC Division Two All-Star three times in baseball, as well as the league's Defensive Player of the Year as a shortstop. He will move to the outfield with the Devils.

On the court DJ was a three year member of the varsity basketball team and started at small forward. DJ was also a member of the 2015 West Seneca Legion Post that captured the New York State Legion Championship. He joins current Blue Devils Michael Prentice and Trot Kelly (2013 State Champs) who also played for the West Seneca Legion Post.

Coach Palisin originally saw DJ playing for a local travel team, Full Circuit Power. The FCP team plays a game each summer at Ludwig Field, so coach Palisin and DJ originally met at the field on campus.

"DJ had a short, compact swing, something we look for. He had a good approach at the plate and his coach mentioned what a high-character individual he was. DJ was looking to major in Education, and we have one of the best programs in the state for that major."
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Senior captain Quinn Danahy sat down with DJ to ask him a few questions so you can get to know him a little better:

DJ's Walkup Song
Favorite Baseball Player
Favorite Movie

What would you say has been the biggest adjustment of college so far?
The biggest adjustment in college is going from a school where you know everyone to a school where you know only a fraction of the people.

What is your focus in education?

I am undecided but in the future I would like to get into Education. I would love to teach high school History one day.

What would you say was your greatest high school sports moment?
Being a part of the high school basketball team that set a school record in wins and having the first winning season in 20 years.

You put together a special event for your high school coach basketball when he was ill. What was that like? (Read article from Time Warner Cable here)
Last basketball season our assistant basketball coach was diagnosed with Leukemia. His son was our head coach so the team and I set up Leukemia Awareness Night. It was extremely special to me and to this day still feels great knowing I made a difference in someone’s life. At the event we made $2,500 and it was all donated to the American Cancer Society. The school is planning to make this an annual event and I hope to stay close with running the event.

Would you say this has helped shape you as a player and a person?

This has absolutely helped shape me into a player and person. It has made me realize some things in life are just greater than sports and it’s made me want to continue to make a difference in people’s lives.

What was it like to win the New York States Legion baseball championship?

The NYS Legion Baseball Championship was an unreal experience and winning the championship made it even cooler. It was cool meeting and beating my (current Fredonia) roommate Kevin Yirinec (Fairport Legion) at the tournament as well. He played for the opposing Legion Post we saw in the finals.

Does it give you pride knowing that you followed in the footsteps of fellow Blue Devils Mike Prentice and Liam Kelly?

It’s pretty cool that I got to follow those two. We take pride in playing for West Seneca Post 735 and its cool that all three of us got to win state championships for our hometown.

What was it like to be an inaugural member of the Full Circuit Travel team in Western New York? Was it fun to play under Coach Charlie?

Why did you choose Fredonia? 
I chose Fredonia because I liked the school and how close it is to my family. Fredonia gives my parents the opportunity to continue to watch me play, which means a lot to me.