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Culpepper Returns For Shot At A Championship
Feb. 22, 2005 Most college baseball players jump at the shot to get drafted and play professional baseball. Then again most players are not like Gonzaga University outfielder Jeff Culpepper. The lone senior on the Bulldogs roster has turned down the chance to play professional baseball not once, but twice during his memorable GU career. The Boston Red Sox took the first swing at Culpepper selecting him in the 39th round of the 2003 draft. Instead of turning pro, Culpepper spent the summer playing baseball in the Alaska Summer League. The Chicago Cubs stepped to the plate last season tabbing Culpepper in the 24th round. This time Culpepper decided to hit the weight room, picking up some size for his final year in a Zags uniform. Most people would probably think Jeff was crazy and may have missed his opportunity not once, but twice. The Woodinville, Wash., native has a much different take on it. "I stayed at Gonzaga because I want to win a championship. There are many things I feel our team and I individually can still accomplish. Staying at Gonzaga after being drafted the last two years is something I know I will look back at 30 years down the road and be certain that no amount of money could replace the experiences I have from my two extra years as a Zag." While Culpepper may be pleased with his decision to stay, head coach Mark Machtolf knows how valuable his return is to this year's squad. "Jeff is one of our best team leaders during my time at Gonzaga. He knows how we do things and he is the kind of guy you want as a teammate. I think he really enjoys the college game and values this experience." Culpepper has made the most of his return to the Gonzaga line-up, hitting .478 through the first six games and moving into the Gonzaga Top 10 for career hits. The Bulldogs are off to a 3-3 start which includes a shutout win over No. 12 Arizona State University. In addition to his hot start, Culpepper really relishes the role placed on his shoulders and the chance to finish among the all-time greats at Gonzaga. "My Gonzaga experience has been awesome. I'm in a role that not many people have the opportunity to take on, being the only senior on this year's team. It's a great responsibility and I feel very privileged. It will definitely make this year's experience unique and exciting." Unique and exciting may also be the way Culpepper is remembered in the Bulldog record books as he enters his fifth-year with his eyes on a championship. Culpepper was a redshirt outfielder five years ago when the Bulldogs won the West Coast Conference Coast Division championship and just missed winning their first NCAA bid in more than 20 years. The next season the outfielder started to make a name for himself becoming the first Gonzaga player to earn first-team Freshman All-America honors. He followed that with honorable mention All-WCC honors as a sophomore. Last season he was left off all the post-season award lists despite hitting .325 or better for the third straight year. This season the stage is all his to take the spotlight and shine. "He is one of those great all-around players," added Machtolf. "He is going to make a great pro and I think his best years are still ahead of him. He has the tools to have another solid year and I would rank him with some of the great players we have had here in recent years like Jason Bay and Nate Gold." That's some pretty heavy company to be be placed along side of, but Culpepper seems destined to make the most of it. This is the kid who decided that the pros could wait for one more shot at a college championship.
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