Tom Walter Looks at Nick Kurtz's Journey Tom Walter Looks at Nick Kurtz's Journey
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Division I baseball coach Tom Walter Wake Forest has closely followed Nick Kurtz's athletic career since the fledgling first baseman arrived at Wake Forest as an under-the-radar recruit. Early on, the coach was struck by Nick's ability to bounce back from setbacks, using them as springboards for growth. Through his resilience and dogged commitment, the talented freshman was eventually named Rookie of the Year in the American League.

Reflecting on his time at Wake Forest, Nick said, "The time I had at Wake was the best of my life. The coaching staff gave me everything I needed to become a better player and have fun doing it. Coach Walter especially helped me become a better man on and off the field and how to carry myself in the game and also in your community."

As Tom recalls, Nick entered Wake Forest as a two-way prospect, but that plan ended before it began. A severe labrum tear in his throwing shoulder sidelined his pitching future the summer before his senior year of high school. By the time he reached campus, he was a full-time position player with limited national attention, ranked 403rd in his class.

His transition into college baseball brought more adversity. A second labrum injury, this time in his non-throwing shoulder, halted his first fall season before it ever found rhythm. But after months of rehab, he managed to earn a spot on the opening day lineup that spring.

But Nick's troubles weren't over. Throughout the season, he suffered repeated injuries, but these only made him more determined to maintain his spot on the team.

With his characteristic persistence, Nick withstood the punishing schedule, closing out the year as a Freshman All-American and the university's Male Athlete of the Year. He only took time out to heal two days after the final out of the Maryland Regional, which is when he finally underwent surgery.

This was the type of grit and discipline Tom Walter had long emphasized within the program. For Nick, it would set the foundation for everything he achieved afterward.

Midway through his college career, Nick's development reflected not only athletic instruction but also the broader guidance emphasized at Wake Forest. Coach Tom had always instilled the values of academic achievement, leadership, and service in his players, and his influence extended beyond the field.

While still at Wake Forest, Nick began working with the Epilepsy Foundation. He attributed his commitment to community work to the program's service model and the example set by his coach. That he managed to contribute to the foundation's initiatives while maintaining his athletic performance was a testament to the team's multifaceted focus and culture.

By the time Nick went pro, he had already achieved a reputation for commitment, excellence, and team-first values. Even so, he would surely agree with Coach Tom Walter that his greatest achievement is building a foundation of perseverance and a sense of purpose.