HERKIMER, NY (06/08/2012)(readMedia)-- Herkimer County Community College's Male Athlete of the Year, Hassan Evans, was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 38th round on Wednesday, June 6. Evans had turned down multiple offers earlier in the day for selection as a pitcher because of his desire to play the outfield. The Chicago Cubs decided to select him as an outfielder in round 38. Evans graduated from HCCC in May with an A.A. degree in Liberal Arts & Sciences: General Studies. This is the second General drafted by major league baseball this week, with pitcher Willie Gabay previously selected by the Tampa Bay Rays.
Brooklyn native Evans played center field for the Generals, and often flashed his outstanding arm strength, topping out as high as 97 MPH. He also led Herkimer in home runs this season with four round-trippers. Evans posted a .389 batting average with seven doubles and six triples, and was second on the team in runs batted in with 34. Evans was honored as a first team All-Region and All-Mountain Valley Conference Team member as a sophomore. He was also honored with HCCC's highest athletic achievement award, Male Athlete of the Year, which considers all sports played by the Generals. The 6' 3" right-hander is currently playing for the Diamond Dawgs of the Perfect Game Collegiate League, which is a wood bat, summer league for higher-level collegiate players. The Dawgs are based in Little Falls, NY.
Head Baseball Coach Jason Rathbun had the highest praise for Evans, stating "Hassan was selected as our College's Male Athlete of the Year because he is just an unbelievable athlete. He really developed over his two years here. Hassan went from a free swinging hitter who hit .305 as a freshman, to a player with more discipline at the plate, and really improved his numbers his sophomore year. I think Hassan has a lot to prove with his hitting and will continue to get better as he moves on in his baseball career," Rathbun concluded.
Herkimer County Community College is a unit of the State University of New York, located in Herkimer, NY about 20 miles east of Utica, NY. With an enrollment of approximately 3,600 students, Herkimer offers more than 40 associate degree and certificate programs, on-campus housing, an active co-curricular activities schedule and a national championship athletic program. Herkimer is a Division III member of the National Junior College Athletic Association and has amassed 35 national, 89 regional and 131 conference championships. Herkimer placed second in the 2010-11 National Alliance of Two-Year College Athletic Administrators (NATYCAA) Cup competition.