Central Connecticut State The Perfect Program For Fox

Nick Fox 1B / OF / Xavier, CT / 2024

KILLINGWORTH, Ct. - “An old-school program” in the eyes of Nick Fox, Central Connecticut State is perfect for the Xavier High School senior.

“I like the mentality of the coaching staff,” Fox explained. “They have a great winning culture and develop guys well. I strive to be a tough team-oriented player, so this made sense for me. It’s a great fit.”

Initially, Fox thought little of seeing Central head coach Charlie Hickey watching him play.

“I saw coach Hickey at one of my high school games,” Fox reflected. “My assistant coach is good friends with him and we were introduced. He talked about getting me on campus after the season but I didn’t think much of it.”

Eventually the visit took place for Fox, who had also been to St. Joseph’s, and was talking with Assumption.

“I went on the visit in late July and loved what coach said,” Fox related. “After my visit I went to Georgia for a tournament and when I was in my hotel I heard from him. He said he really liked me and offered. I spoke to my parents about it, but we knew after the visit if Central offered I was going to take it. I waited a day and then told coach Hickey I’m in 100 percent.”

The 6-0 170-pound left-handed hitter obviously made an impression.

“They like my disciplined approach at the plate,” Fox said. “They like my demeanor, how I carry myself on the field. The little intangibles they think can help them at the next level.”

The 17-year-old has made a lot of strides to get to the point of a Division I commit.

“This year I made my biggest jump, at least athletically,” Fox explained. “I put my nose to the grindstone. I wrestled and that helped get me in better shape and taught me how to work hard. That helped with my mentality to give everything I have.”

It proved beneficial in a recruiting process that was not easy.

“It was really stressful for me not knowing where I was going to play the next four years,” Fox admitted. “All my friends were getting offers and I thought I was performing at a high level and not getting recruited. I played for MVP New England in the summer and that really helped with recruitment and seeing what was out there at the D-I level.”

Fox also gave credit to two individuals.

“My brother (J.J. Fox), who plays at St. Joe’s, helped a lot with the process and my work ethic,” Fox pointed out. “My AAU coach Matt Burns helped me with polishing up the little things … things I had not really learned before.”

A first baseman/outfielder, Fox is confident he can be a huge asset to the Northeast Conference program.

“I feel I can bring a lot of toughness,” Fox explained. “I want to be the hardest worker there and make an impact from day one. I’m a very team-oriented player who wants to make the most of it. I just want to win at the end of the day.”

Criminal justice, economics or something in health care are being considered as a college major by Fox, a 3.3 student at Xavier who is pleased to have made a commitment to the school just 45 minutes from home.

“It’s definitely a relief at the end of the day but it’s not the end goal just to be on a college roster,” Fox said. “I want to make the most of this opportunity. Now is when the hard work really starts.”

Still, the anticipation of what lies ahead at Central Connecticut State is exhilarating.

“I’m looking forward to the independence,” Fox concluded. “Being able to focus just on baseball and studies is going to be great. I always played multiple sports so I’ve never just hunker-downed on baseball. I’m looking forward to making it my life.”