Jay Judson is looking to defend his title and three-peat as the head coach of the Loggerheads this season.
Q: When did you start playing baseball and what made you get into it?
A: “Like anybody else played little league and I realized I was different when I skipped leagues and passed many of my friends. At that point I knew baseball was something I really enjoyed.”
Q: Did you play any other sports growing up?
A: “I played everything basketball, football and soccer.”
Q: Why did you decide to go to college despite being drafted out of high school?
A: “The decision was made more or less by my parents, coming from the background I came from we didn’t know this stuff. So, my parents said you’re going to college.
Q: After your playing career what made you want to become a coach?
A: “When I stopped playing, I was offered a coaching job in the low minors. I figured at that point I was done with baseball and if I wasn’t going to play, I didn’t want to coach. I went into business for many years with my dad and all the sudden I woke up one morning and I said I don’t want to do this, I want to coach.”
Q: How long have you been coaching for?
A: “Well over 20 years, I’m probably the oldest coach in the league”
Q: What was the biggest adjustment from switching from a player to a coach? And what do you enjoy more?
A: “To be honest with you I didn’t have to make many adjustments maybe because of my personality. To me watching kids reach their potential, there is no better feeling. I love coaching to me it is not a job it is a passion.”
Q: Being that you are already accomplished as a coach, what is your end goal?
A: “I would love to go back to college to coach. The problem is I’m 65 years old and there are not many colleges that want to hire someone my age. They want young guys that will be able to grow with the program.”