University of Houston Athletics
Sullivan Overcomes Odds To Become Cougars' Ace
2/7/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 7, 2002
Brad Sullivan is one of the bright young freshman pitchers from last year who is looking to make a name for himself in his sophomore year. Sullivan is most proud of his 3-1 victory last season over number24 ranked Tulane. He won numerous honors last year and was named to the 2001 Conference USA All-Freshman Team.
Last season he had 98 strikeouts, which ranked second in Conference USA. Also in the conference he had a 6-2 record and a 1.96 ERA. Sullivan overpowers batters with a strong fastball that ranges from 88 to 91 mph. He started last season as a closer, later earning a slot in the starting rotation.
Life has not always been easy for Sullivan. When he was ten years old, he was riding in the back seat of a car when an #18-wheeler hit the car and sent him flying over the back seat. His head slammed against a windshield pillar. This left him with a severe brain injury.
Sullivan's injuries were so severe, that the doctors told his parents that their son would never walk or see again. In Christmas of 1999, surgeons sliced his scalp open and lifted it over his eyes to remove the titanium strips that had been inserted into his head to keep his skull in place. The doctors then stitched his scalp back into place. His scar runs from one side of his ear up to the top of his head and then down to the other ear.
Sullivan says this accident has helped him to, "live life to the fullest." He has overcome so much, that being on the mound facing the opposing team has made him a fierce competitor.
All in all, Sullivan has turned something negative into a positive and has never given up. With all that has happened to him, Sullivan still was able to win numerous awards last season: 2001 Baseball Weekly First-Team Freshman All-America, 2001 Baseball America Second Team Freshman All-America, 2001 Collegiate Baseball Honorable Mention, Freshman All-America, 2001 All-Conference USA First Team and 2001 Conference USA Commissioner's Honor Roll (requiring 3.00 GPA or higher).
Sullivan's will and determination has pulled him through and landed him here at the University of Houston. He has overcome so much adversity to become one of the key players on the University of Houston's Baseball team. "Whatever I go through is not nearly as tough as what I have already gone through." Last year, Sullivan was finding his pitches and working through situations on the mound.
Sullivan is excited about the upcoming season. "The pitching staff is stronger because the freshman have a year of experience under their belt," Sullivan said. In the off-season, Sullivan has been working on his slow curve trying to establish his off speed pitches to become even stronger. The one thing that he wants to accomplish before his collegiate years are over is to get a chance to go to Omaha and play in the College World Series.
This year should be different. He now has a year of collegiate baseball under his belt. This year should be a treat, for Baseball America magazine has nationally ranked University of Houston 27th, and the head coaches have slotted the cougars 2nd in Conference USA. Sullivan is starting right where he left off last year compiling more awards. He has been named to the magazine's pre-season All Conference USA Team.
Sullivan is looking forward to more memorable victories in the 2002 season.
