Senior wraps up 4 years of Bronco baseball

By Connor Bradshaw Van Lier Ribbink ’13
THE ROUNDUP

Finding motivation is a key ingredient in order for any athlete to achieve success, but it wasn’t hard for Charlie Coppola ’13 to find motivation before the 2013 season.

It will be, after all, his final season wearing Brophy’s colors on a baseball diamond.

Coppola has been a recognizable face around the athletic community due to his participation in both varsity baseball and basketball

“I’ve been playing baseball for 13 years now but it’s been my primary sport for only two years,” Coppola said.

Coppola’s first taste of varsity baseball came as a sophomore when he was allowed to dress for varsity games following a season playing junior varsity.

The following year he became a full member of the varsity baseball team.

“I’ve played with Charlie for around 10 years now and I’ve watched him grow as a player,” said long time teammate Connor Messman ’13.

“He’s crazy committed to whatever team he plays on and constantly works to get better, which he’s proven he has.”

Now on varsity Coppola has had one goal of winning a state title, but that goal was cut short last season when Chaparral beat Brophy in the state championship game due to a walk off home run.

“All summer my teammates and I talked about that game and the upcoming season. It’s made us work hard to improve every day since last May,” Coppola said.

Coppola, who will be playing for Texas Christian University next fall, is leading that improvement as the Broncos have won 10 of their last 12 games.