Indiana University Athletics
Means Shines as Dual-Sport Athlete
4/5/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 5, 2006
As most of the Indiana football team eagerly took the field for spring football's first practice on March 21, freshman Andrew Means was already in season. The Hoosier took on the immense undertaking of playing two varsity sports at IU.
Means is suiting up for two varsity sports this spring. He is doubling as the starting right fielder for the baseball team while simultaneously playing wide receiver for the spring football season.
In the baseball Hoosiers' home-opening series against Hartford (3/24-26), Means arrived late for the second game and left the third game early for football. Despite his hectic schedule, Means has been an integral part of the Hoosier offensive attack. Starting in right field, the Avon Lake, Ohio native is a perfect 9-for-9 in the stolen base department, good for third on the team, in addition to posting a .294 average with eight RBI and seven runs.
Means, who redshirted the 2005 football season, boasted an illustrious career prior to coming to Indiana that included leading his high school team to an impressive 15-0 record and a state championship as a junior. As a senior, Means recorded 24 receptions for 597 yards en route to being named first team All-Lorian County and All-District.
Means believes time management is key in balancing two full loads.
"So far, playing both sports hasn't been too tough," Means said. "People always ask me how I can do all that work in one week. I think I've been able to because of good time management skills and a lot of hard work. Overall, the key to balancing two sports and academics is without a doubt time management."
Both head football coach Terry Hoeppner and wide receivers coach Billy Lynch, along with head baseball coach Tracy Smith and Means' teammates on both the football and baseball teams have made his undertaking possible.
"My coaches and teammates have been the biggest influence in both football and baseball," Means said. "I didn't know anyone on the baseball team when I first went over there. They were really welcoming and are all a big family, just like on the football team. So far, we have made it work, and I am enjoying it. "
Means credits Hoeppner and Smith's Miami (Ohio) connection and relationship as keys in making his dual-sport endeavor work.
"It may help a little that both coaches know each other and have a tremendous amount of respect for one another after coaching at Miami (Ohio) at the same time. There were a couple kids there that played both, and they know how to make it work," Means said.
Lynch, who works closely with Means on a daily basis as his position coach, supports his standout athlete and his quest to be successful in two Indiana sports.
"It's great for Andrew to have the opportunity to play both sports," Lynch said. "I think he has the chance to be really successful at both football and baseball. From the football end, he has a lot of potential and is improving. I understand he is a talented baseball player as well. When you are playing two sports, the main thing is that you have to have dedication and be willing to give it your all at both. It becomes a year-round job."
Lynch believes that the hard-working Means has the right qualities to make an impact in both football and baseball.
"Andrew is a very dedicated young man," Lynch said. "He has outstanding time management skills that allow him to not only be successful in two very demanding sports but also in the classroom. He has a lot on his plate, and he is doing a great job at making it all happen."
Smith, in his first season at the helm of the IU baseball program, echoes Lynch's sentiments on Means.
"Andrew is a special athlete," Smith said. "He is the fastest player I have ever coached. What makes it even more unbelievable is how big and strong he is to go with his incredible speed. It is hard enough to play one sport at the college level, let alone two. It takes extreme discipline and dedication, both qualities Andrew possesses."
Smith expects big things out of his right fielder as he takes on the challenge to playing two sports.
"For us, he is a difference-maker," Smith said. "We would not be the same team without him in the lineup defensively and offensively. It is so rare to have someone of his abilities walk up to you at the semester break and say, `I want to try baseball', and to have known nothing about him. He is a special athlete, and a special kid. He has a bright future ahead of him as a baseball player. Once again, I have got to thank Coach Hoeppner for finding one of my best players."
