Joshua McAlister

Classroom

McAlister graduated Magna Cum Laude (3.57 GPA) with a Bachelor’s of Science in Accountancy in December 2013. He is now a graduate student currently enrolled in a Masters of Accountancy program at ASU. Named to the Dean’s List in five consecutive semesters (Fall 2010, Fall 2011, Spring 2012, Fall 2012, Spring 2013), he was a Pac-12 First Team All-Academic honoree in 2013 and is a three-time Scholar Baller honoree (Fall ’13, Spring ‘13, Fall ‘12), which honors student-athletes who achieve a 3.0 GPA or higher in a given semester.

“Josh defines the term ‘student-athlete’ and is one of those rare young men that can perfectly blend sports and education. He makes you appreciate what hard work, accountability and a drive to succeed can allow someone accomplish.”  - Patrice Feulner, former Sun Devil Baseball Academic Coach and current Assistant AD for Academic Services at Iowa State

Character

McAlister is the current President of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and has been a vocal leader within the organization since his freshman year at ASU. Self-motivated to succeed both on and off the field, McAlister has constantly performed at a high level as part of a top tier, nationally ranked college baseball program and one of the top schools of Accountancy in the country. He also has real-world work experience as a scheduling coordinator for the Albuquerque Baseball Academy and as a sales associate for Ultimate Dugout LLC.

“Josh is the ultimate teammate. No matter how he performs, he is upbeat and motivates everyone around him. He takes the time to mentor the younger players on the team as well as help the upperclassman work out any problems they may face throughout the year. I am a better player and person because Josh was my teammate for three seasons.” – Former Sun Devil pitcher and current Minor Leaguer Trevor Williams

Community

McAlister has been heavily in the community, both in the Phoenix Valley and in his hometown of Albuquerque, N.M., for the past three-plus years. He is the current spokesperson for the Holiday Food Drive for the Sun Devils Serve Organization and represents Sun Devil baseball on the ASU Student Athlete Advisory Committee. A strong advocate for youth exercise and activity, McAlister has made it a priority to instruct children, ages 8-17, in various hitting and pitching camps, and is one of the first student-athletes to sign autographs and talk to youth groups and Little League teams.  A driving force behind the ASU Athletics Department’s Sun Devil Serve initiative, he has served as the coordinator of various community service events and socials, including Student-Athlete Appreciation Day and numerous visits to the Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

“We value student-athletes who have the desire to not only win on the field, but off it as well, because those are the people who end up succeeding. In addition, we want young men who embrace ASU and the Sun Devil baseball tradition and culture. Josh embodies all of these attributes and more.” – head coach Tim Esmay

Competition

A four-year Sun Devil, McAlister is a three-year letterwinner and a 2013-14 team captain. He led the team with a 0.89 ERA, held opponents to a .211 batting average, second lowest on the team, and allowed just two earned runs in 20.1 innings in 2013. He also set career marks in innings pitched, appearances, strikeouts and opposing batting average. In an elimination game in the 2013 NCAA Regional in Fullerton, Calif., McAlister put together the best outing of his career as he allowed just three hits and three walks and struck out two in a career-high 5.1 scoreless relief innings in a loss to Cal State Fullerton June 2. No stranger to high-pressure situations, McAlister has pitched in two NCAA Regionals in his three seasons in Tempe, and constantly comes into games as reliever with the game either tied or close.