Inside HOKIE SPORTS | Vol. 9 No. 2 | October 2016

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28 Inside Hokie Sports
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61 games. He hit .255, with three homers and
17 RBI.
The production occurred despite playing
with a broken bone in his foot that required
surgery following the season. Two years ago,
maybe even a year ago, such an injury would
have sent him spiraling toward a dark place.
Not any more.
“I trained my mind, knowing that I would
have days that would be bad,” Dauby said. “But
if something bad happens, I learned not to let it
control my life.
“I worked to change my thinking and took
a step back and looked at what I had—the
opportunities I had and the friends I had. I saw
the good I had in my life that I hadn’t been able
to see. Ever since, I’ve been happier than ever.”
The Virginia Tech baseball team opened
fall practice on Sept. 16 and Dauby took to the
field feeling better than he had in years. He
returns for his fifth season—the NCAA granted
a medical hardship waiver because of his bout
with post-concussion syndrome.
Last year brought forth a newfound
confidence, as he managed an injury and some
intense situations that, in the past, would have
paralyzed him. He continues to work with
Bennett and Horn, following the protocol that
got him to this point.
“
”
The only thing I cared about was
Matt waking up on a daily basis
and enjoying his life. I focused my
attention as a coach to do whatever I
could to make that happen. Whether
he played baseball again … that
was not my goal. My goal was to
do whatever we could to help Matt
enjoy waking up every day.
Virginia Tech baseball coach
Pat Mason on helping Matt Dauby.
Continued from page 27
“I owe Jennifer and Dr. Bennett my life,” he
said. “I can’t express in words my gratitude to
both of them for help saving my life.”
Follow-up visits to doctors have been
positive. They have no concerns.
Of course, his parents, being typical parents,
watch him with a bit of worry.
“I’m not very comfortable even watching
him bat, honestly,” Steve Dauby said. “But I’m
very proud of him. He could have turned to
drugs or alcohol, but that’s not who he is. He’s
not going to give up. He’s not going to quit. I
admire him so much for the way he’s handled
all this.”
Matt Dauby grows more comfortable every
day. He is excited about the upcoming season
and his team—one that he says possesses a lot
of the similarities of the 2013 NCAA regional
squad. He also gets excited when talking
about graduating next May with his degrees in
accounting and marketing.
More importantly, he’s excited about sharing
his story in hopes of making a difference in
someone’s life.
“I know there are a lot of people going
through similar things that I did,” he said.
“Obviously, everyone has their own particular
situation, but I knowpeople are going through it
and are afraid or embarrassed to say something
as a Division I athlete at a major university. I’d
really like to be able to help people similar to
myself.
“It [mental illness] can affect you on the field
and off the field. It can paralyze you and make
it impossible to play sports, or get good grades
or go out socially. It can be a downward spiral
if you don’t try to get help. I am serious when I
say that I’m there for a contact for anyone who
needs someone to talk to.”
Matt Dauby could have become another
negative statistic, a victim of a tragedy beyond
his control.
Fortunately for those who know him, he has
become so much more.