{"id":6663,"date":"2023-07-02T16:59:15","date_gmt":"2023-07-02T20:59:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yemeniamerican.com\/en\/?p=6663"},"modified":"2023-07-02T16:59:15","modified_gmt":"2023-07-02T20:59:15","slug":"henry-ford-college-baseball-player-ricky-kidd-makes-history-as-the-first-hawk-student-athlete-to-receive-an-athletic-scholarship-at-a-big-ten-university","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yemeniamerican.com\/en\/henry-ford-college-baseball-player-ricky-kidd-makes-history-as-the-first-hawk-student-athlete-to-receive-an-athletic-scholarship-at-a-big-ten-university\/","title":{"rendered":"Henry Ford College baseball player Ricky Kidd makes history as the first Hawk student-athlete to receive an athletic scholarship at a Big Ten University\u200f"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dearborn, Mich. – YAN:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ricky Kidd, a right-handed pitcher for the Henry Ford College (HFC) baseball team,\u00a0has become the first HFC student-athlete to receive an athletic scholarship to a Big Ten University. This fall, he will continue his education and athletic career at the University of Michigan (U-M) in Ann Arbor.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt truly is a dream come true to be able to play the sport I love most at my dream school. I couldn\u2019t have done this without the support of my family as well as my teammates and coaches at HFC who continue to push me to become the best pitcher I can be,\u201d said Kidd.<\/p>\n

U-M Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator Ben Greenspan is looking forward to having Kidd join the Wolverines.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are very excited about what Ricky brings to the Michigan baseball program,\u201d\u00a0said Greenspan. \u201cHe is a high-level student-athlete. We are optimistic Ricky will come in right away and contribute on and off the field.\u201d<\/p>\n

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A draft prospect for the Texas Rangers<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kidd is also a Major League Baseball draft prospect for the Texas Rangers.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just recently completed a workout for the Rangers, and it went great!\u201d said Kidd. \u201cI have had great talks with all the scouts and I am in good spirits.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kidd will find out if he made the cut by Tuesday, July 11, which is the MLB draft end date. If he is drafted by the Rangers, he will delay his attendance at U-M.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy ultimate career goal is to get drafted and play professionally, but if that doesn\u2019t work out, I would like to be part of the financial side of sports and work in the front office of a professional team,\u201d said Kidd. \u201cBaseball is my primary passion in life. I am a student of the game, constantly seeking to understand every detail, especially when it comes to my craft \u2013 pitching! I want to love what I do and do what I love \u2013 baseball!\u201d<\/p>\n

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Baseball from age 3<\/strong><\/p>\n

A lifelong Trenton resident, Kidd is the eldest of three children. He has been playing baseball since he was 3 and started playing on Little League teams when he was 6.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always had a glove on my hand and been throwing a baseball since I\u2019ve been able to walk,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Kidd graduated from Trenton High School in 2021. During his THS days, he played basketball and baseball, serving as captain of the baseball team his senior year. He was also involved in the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and the Environmental Club.<\/p>\n

Initially, Kidd committed to playing baseball at a 4-year university, but the COVID-19 pandemic changed his plans. He reassessed his options and decided to come to HFC, which had also made him an offer.<\/p>\n

\u201cCoach Mike Abney\u00a0welcomed me with open arms and let me know that if I ever needed anything to give him a call \u2013 even after I originally committed to another school. Because of this, I felt that HFC was the right place to study and develop athletically,\u201d he said.\u00a0\u201cCoach Abney is a great person who truly cares for his players. I truly cannot be more thankful for him giving me an opportunity to play at HFC.\u00a0I will always remember the days of the HFC Hawks making the regional tournament for the first time in many years. It truly was special.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Achieving many great things athletically and academically at HFC<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kidd attended HFC on an athletic scholarship and studied business. After transferring to U-M this fall, he will major in finance.<\/p>\n

\u201cI always admired my father, a hard-working businessman. I became interested and would ask him questions about business. I became more and more interested in the field of finance,\u201d said Kidd. \u201cHFC has helped me achieve many great things academically. I\u2019ve learned to be proud of the work I do, as well as learn how to manage my time well with being a student-athlete.\u201d<\/p>\n

On the academic side, English instructor Dr. Sommer Sterud\u00a0and accounting instructor Joanne Wade had a positive influence on Kidd.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey always offered to help me if I was struggling with an assignment and were always interested in talking about the baseball team,\u201d recalled Kidd.<\/p>\n

On the athletic side, HFC pitching coaches Kyle Roberts and Enrique Reboyras also had a positive influence on Kidd.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoth have developed me and prepared me to play at the next level,\u201d said Kidd. \u201cMy current favorite baseball player is Trevor Bauer of the Yokohama DeNA BayStars (in the Japanese Central League). I love watching his videos on pitching. My all-time favorite player is Greg Maddux (formerly of the Atlanta Braves). I see a little bit of him in myself in the way I pitch.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2019m just settling in\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

For the 2022-23 season, Kidd was awarded the following honors and accolades by the Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA):<\/p>\n