GV’s Schneider officially pens next chapter in remarkable athletic career, will pursue college baseball opportunity at Mansfield University
BELMONT — For Cody Schneider, his love for America’s pastime began when he was a little kid. The hard work, the passion, the dedication. All of it started when he took trips to his grandfather’s house to watch and learn the game itself.
“When I was younger, my Dad and I would go over to my grandfather’s house and watch a ton of baseball. As I’ve grown up, my Dad would tell me all of his stories from playing baseball himself in high school, and when he played town ball at Friendship. I really just wanted to be like both of them when I grew up. I look up to them the most out of anyone.”
From tee ball, all the way up to his final year of varsity baseball at Genesee Valley this upcoming season, Schneider has come to know the game he loves so much. When Tuesday afternoon came around, it made sure it was a part of his future.
Sitting alongside his parents Lisa and Jim, the Genesee Valley senior picked up the pen, and signed the dotted line for his next chapter in life. After verbally committing to the college during the fall season, he made it all but certain that Mansfield University was the destination to pursue a higher education, as well as further his baseball journey by becoming the newest member of the Mountaineers baseball program beginning next Spring.
The Jaguars superstar did not think twice. He knew instantly that Mansfield was going to be his second home.
“It was a very easy choice for me. It’s not too far from home, but it’s far enough away,” Schneider said. “I loved their criminal justice program that they have there too. I went and practiced with their baseball teams a couple of times last October, and it was a really enjoyable experience to be a part of. Their coach had his practices organized, and at times they were intense, and I loved both of those aspects. All the guys on the team were super cool, and they always hyped everyone up. I am super excited to take the next step in my baseball career and see where it goes after high school.”
Mansfield University was not the only school that Schneider took into consideration along the way. On the shortlist was Houghton College with a possibility of becoming a dual-sport athlete by playing both basketball and baseball. The University of Pitt-Brad was also taken into consideration, with a scholarship to play basketball, along with Cabrini University — a Division III Roman Catholic school parked just outside of the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia, where he was offered a baseball scholarship.
Schneider has been a featured tri-sport athlete for the majority of his high school career wandering the halls of Genesee Valley Central School amongst his other fellow Jaguars classmates, partaking in soccer in the fall, basketball during the winter, and baseball in the spring.
Basketball and baseball are two of Schneider’s strongest attributes of competition, but when it came down to brass tax, the decision begged a question — basketball or baseball? The Genesee Valley senior said that the baseball field called to him.
“I love basketball a lot, and it’s always been great to me. But there is just something different about playing baseball with a bunch of guys that just made me really want to be on a baseball field,” he said. “It’s just a totally different atmosphere in the dugout, and on the field. I also feel I would be able to contribute the most if I were to play baseball instead of basketball.”
For now, Schneider continues to cement his legacy in Genesee Valley’s history books as one of their all-time greats on the basketball court. Just recently, he surpassed sharpshooter and class of 2004 graduate Nick Kelley to become the program’s King of the Jungle in scoring by eclipsing his mark in the early stages of their first round contest against Alfred-Almond at this past weekend’s Andover Lions Club Tournament, where they won the two-day event a third straight year.
But when the snow clears, the ground dries and the sun shines outback of the school, baseball season will soon be on the horizon. As for his coach, Jaguars skipper Kevin Scott, now entering his second season as the varsity program’s head coach, says that during his time at the school, he has never met anyone as dedicated or as passionate about the game of baseball, than Schneider.
“As a coach, you couldn’t ask for a better kid to coach,” Scott said. “He is just a great kid, and his heart really is made of gold. His determination, his dedication, it all goes father than I could ever imagine. He never accepts being just good enough. He always tries to be a better ball player. He is also a natural-born leader, and the other kids respect him, and follow him off the field. I know my young son looks up to him, as many of the younger kids do at Genesee Valley. I’m going to miss coaching him, but I wish him nothing but the best. I will be a huge Mansfield baseball fan for sure.”
The baseball program will look to make a positive out of their 8-11 campaign a year ago, with Schneider returning one last time in Genesee Valley colors to lead the brigade as their behind the plate commander in chief. At the plate, he will look to become a force once again hitting at the top of the team’s lineup. For Scott, the ceiling has no limit for what his senior catcher can’t do.
“He is going to be hard to pitch against. He has seen everything there is to see,” he said. “From playing varsity baseball here for years, and travel ball, he has seen everything. Everyone will know when Cody steps up to the plate. I look forward to seeing him lead our younger team, and see them follow his footsteps. I want this season to be one that he never forgets. Him and I share the same love for baseball. As our catcher, he’ll be the general on the field. If you ask him what his goals are, he wants to win. That’s what type of player he is.”
For Schneider?
“I just want to be a great leader for all the young kids that will be on the team this year,” the senior said. “I want to teach them some of the things that I’ve learned through my travels with all the different coaches I’ve met.”
One thing is for certain, Schneider will leave behind a legacy across all phases of the athletic field that will go untouched for years to come.
