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Iona University Athletics

Fran Kinsey
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Baseball Mike Phillips

Q&A With Iona Baseball's Fran Kinsey

Get to know the Gael veteran outfielder

NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Iona College baseball program begins its spring season on Friday, Feb. 15 at ETSU. The Maroon & Gold are under the tutelage of first-year head coach Paul Panik and are looking to crash the MAAC with a roster filled with upstart underclassmen and veteran leaders. One such trouper is senior outfielder Fran Kinsey.
 

What are a few words that best describe your game specifically?

A: Um, I think I'm like a coach on the field. I take pride in my IQ. Play hard, play smart, do whatever I can to help the team.

This is your last year obviously. You mentioned that you like to be a leader on the field. Do you feel like that translates to the locker room as well? As one of the seniors on this team, do you feel like you have to be a leader on this team going forward?

A: Well, yeah, I think that's important. This year, especially, is unique since we're trying to change the culture a little bit. It's an opportunity for myself and the other seniors to kind of take it at the helm and show what we want the program to be, not only this year but for the future and sustain that success moving forward.

What are your personal goals for this season, just for you as a player specifically, what do you want to try and accomplish this year?

A: Well, I mean last year I didn't have one of my better years, so all offseason stuff I've worked to go out on top this year and have a great year to look back on for my senior year. The important thing that I can control is having good at bats, again being a leader, keeping the team positive and I think if you do all that results will come in itself.

What did you work on specifically in the offseason to try and reach those goals?

A: Well, it's a lot of time in the cage, getting swings in and stuff. I work out in Philly with a guy and that's a lot of quick trigger stuff, speed and agility, weightlifting, things like that, but I like to dedicate a lot of time in the cage and take pride in my swing, so that's a lot of it.

You mentioned that you want to change the culture of this team. What are your expectations for your team this season?

A: Well, I think the biggest thing is taking it one game at a time and I'm not big on trying to say "Oh, we want to win the championship". I think every team going into a season wants to win a championship, but as a team I think if we can get better game by game, the results will come and then we can get to our goals of making the playoffs and making a run in the MAAC championship.

You've been here before. You've been to the playoffs in 2017 when you guys made the MAAC. Was that your favorite moment as a Gael right now or do you have another one that sticks out to you?

A: That's definitely, that run in itself was very unique. Something that we worked for and to see that pay off was very exciting and I do believe that this team that we have this year has the same chances. The way we work, the way we prepare, the sacrifices we've made already, I think a lot of good things can come for us this year.

This is your last year here, so what is the plan for after you graduate?

A: Hopefully after we win the championship I can start figuring that stuff out. I do have a lot of interest in sports administration and things like that. Once the season's over, I can really dive into that.

Obviously, we know you have a new coach in Paul Panik, who took over this year. He was there in 2017, left, came back. What was your reaction when you first found out that he was coming back to take over the program?

A: I was very excited. Me and coach Panik had a great relationship in 2017. He led by example from the minute he got here and I was very upset when he left. To get that knews and to know that in my last year I would have a chance to be back with him for one last ride really meant a lot to me.

He's been here for a while, he's putting his program in. Have you seen any significant changes with him as the coach? Is there anything differently you guys do now as opposed to the last coach?

A: There's no days off with him and the attention to detail and the accountability factors and things like that. I mean, he's definitely come in here with one goal and that's to change the culture and to push us to our absolute limit and to get the most out of us. I think a lot of guys this year have learned that they have more in them and I think that's the biggest thing. He's gotten guys to realize they can give more of themselves and I think that's gonna go a long way this season.

I have to ask about this obviously. Everybody knows his brother Joe plays in the major leagues for the Giants. Does he talk to you guys about Joe a lot?

A: He actually doesn't, I think it's more of us picking his brain about Joe and what Joe's thinking and things like that. Obviously, it's a very unique situation but he never really brings it up. He kind of has created his own path and is trying to lead his own way.

Yeah, you don't want him to live in Joe's shadow, you want him to have his own path.

A: Absolutely, he's leading his own way and he's doing a hell of a job of it.

The Maroon & Gold have a three-game series against ETSU in Johnston City, TN. The first game is being broadcasted live and all three games will have live stats.

Be sure to follow Iona College athletics on all social media platforms:
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Iona Baseball: Twitter and YouTube (Email Updates)
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Players Mentioned

Fran Kinsey

#4 Fran Kinsey

IF/OF
6' 0"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Fran Kinsey

#4 Fran Kinsey

6' 0"
Senior
IF/OF