Ciavolella Finds A Lot To Like About Eastern Michigan

Michael Ciavolella OF / 1B / Archbishop Hoban, OH / 2024

TALLMADGE - Going through the recruiting process a second time made an impact on Michael Ciavolella.

“It was an eye-opening experience,” the Hoban senior related. “It taught me a lot. It taught me some valuable lessons. Overall it was a good experience, just not what I wanted and expected.”

Fortunately, the fourth-rated 2024 outfielder in Ohio found what he was looking for in a school at Eastern Michigan after decommitting from Ohio State.

“It was just a recruiting issue,” Ciavolella explained about the decision to find another school. “A scholarship was not available at the time and I was told it would be best to go where I was most wanted with a chance to play.”

The 17-year-old knew about first-year EMU head coach Robbie Britt while he was the mentor  at Charleston.

“I talked to a player and he had good things to say about him,” Ciavolella noted.

A visit to Eastern followed and Ciavolella liked what he saw.

“It was exactly what I was looking for, not too big and not too small,” the 28th-ranked senior in Ohio said. “All the resources are there. Obviously, coaching is a big part. I liked how honest the coaches were. They told me the truth and that’s what I wanted to hear.”

There was more that stood out.

“They showed plans for the future campus and for the team and what they want to get done and want us to know,” Ciavolella explained. “I feel it’s the best opportunity to play at the next level.

“They’re also big on faith and my family is that as well. We’re also big on school. After I posted I’m going there, all kinds of alumni reached out and were respectful to me for choosing it, so this is a program I really want to go to.”

A major in sport management and minor in business is the plan for Ciavolella, a 4.0 student at Hoban who has the versatility to help Eastern out in a variety of ways.

“They told me I’d be a corner outfielder and maybe play corner infield, being a middle-of-the-order guy,” Ciavolella said. “Obviously, I can get better with all five tools. They want me to work on perfecting them to get at the best level I can get.”

Improvement has been vital in getting to this point for the 6-3 200-pounder.

“My work ethic has definitely improved,” Ciavolella explained. “I didn’t have the best high school junior year but I developed a new routine and worked hard this summer. I’m more in the zone with my training and have a better mindset on games, taking failure the right way instead of the wrong way.”

A commitment after all he has gone through has been a blessing.

“I felt more happy the second time,” Ciavolella related. “Because of how abrupt it was, I was so stressed out for three weeks. I was so stressed with the portal and reaching out again. I just tried to keep my options open the best I could.”

With senior year of high school already started, time is flying by with college just around the corner.

“I’m looking forward to being around all the guys, getting there and working hard,” Ciavolella concluded. “I’m ready to compete, I feel I can have a shot to play freshman year. I also can’t wait to get to know the coaches more. I’m looking to develop my game the best I can.”