Sophomore Bryce Donovan is more than just a number, 37, on the baseball team.

Although the 6′ 4″ catcher, in transition to pitcher, was a three-sport athlete in high school, he boasts talent in other interests such as his music.

“I sing and play the guitar,” said Donovan. “Pretty much all I sing is oldies country like Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, and George Jones.”

Donovan says that he has been singing ever since he was a little boy. However, it wasn’t until two years ago that he started playing the guitar.

“I played every night until my fingers bled so I could get callouses,” said Donovan. “But I’ve been singing ever since I can remember. I used to sing with my grandpa in a church choir from the time I was six years old and all throughout middle school and high school.”

Donovan has even recorded his music at the famous Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, where artists like Elvis Presley, and even Donovan’s idols Hank Williams and Johnny Cash had performed in the late 1940s and early ‘50s.

However, the sophomore won’t be pursuing a career on the big stage anytime soon.

“It was really fun. I just like [singing and playing the guitar] during my free time when I don’t have anything else to do,” said Donovan. “It’s something that calms me.”

Instead, he plans on joining the military after completing his degree at Pace.

“I do want to serve my country,” said Donovan. “I’ve got service dating back to the Civil War in my family so I want to continue that legacy.”

Donovan says he plans to enlist in the US Army just as his grandfather and father had done before him and hopes to become a paratrooper.

Eager to prepare for his future in the military, Donovan likes to read strategy and “mindful” books such as The Art of War by Sun Tzu.

“I figured [reading] this would be a great way to calm myself and get myself ready,” Donovan said.

However, he is able to apply this mindfulness to his athletic career as well.

“I think I take it into [other areas of life] because now that I am a pitcher, I think of the batter as my enemy,” Donovan said.

Although the baseball player is a man of many interests, his main focus for now is to help his team win.

“I’m grateful for the coaches for believing in me and for this opportunity to be on the team,” said Donovan. “I’m just going to make the most of it. I want this team to succeed and I’m ready to go.”

Donovan says that the pitching staff has been supportive as he makes his transition on the field.

“He’s got a very good arm and we can see him being very useful to have on the mound,” said pitcher Ryan Mihalkovitz. “He’s progressing well and he has a very good attitude toward it which is half the battle. It’s not an easy thing to do.”