Charlie McCready

Classroom

With a 3.94 GPA, McCready boasts the highest GPA of any graduating senior student-athlete, male or female, at Charleston Southern. He’s a seven-time Dean’s List and CSU Scholar-Athlete honoree. McCready has been named to the Big South President’s Honor Roll and was twice named to the Big South All-Academic team. He earned Capital One CoSIDA All-District honors in 2011 and he’s also a member of the Sigmi Chi Honor Society.

Character

Just months before the 2011 collegiate baseball season, the Charleston Southern baseball team suffered a terrible tragedy when redshirt freshman catcher Will Bedenbaugh was killed in a car accident. The Buccaneers, led by upperclassmen such as McCready, chose to dedicate the season to Will’s honor. All players wore No. 39 decals (Will’s number) on their batting helmets and a 39 was painted onto the field. As Will also saw time at on the mound, CSU coach Stuart Lake dedicated the bullpen to Will as well, renaming it Will’s Bullpen. Picked to finish in eighth place, towards the bottom of the Big South, the players rallied around the theme of the season “Will Power” to complete a tremendous turnaround. The Buccaneers had one of the best seasons in CSU history, making a 10-win improvement from the season before to help earn Lake BSC Coach of the Year honors. The Bucs also earned their first conference tournament win since the 2002 season. The Bedenbaugh family, with the support of the Charleston Southern University baseball team, established the “will” Power Foundation. For more information on “will” Power visit https://www.facebook.com/WillPowerFoundation.

Community

McCready has volunteered his time with area youth on numerous occasions. He has visited classrooms at local schools and read to young students. McCready has also helped out at youth camps and clinics. The CSU baseball team makes it a priority to be strong role models to the children of the greater Charleston area and McCready is a superb example.

Competition

As a junior, McCready earned All-Big South first-team honors after posting a 2.29 ERA and compiling a 6-2 record with fives saves and 40 strikeouts in 59 innings. He finished the season ranked fourth in the Big South in ERA, sixth in opponent batting average (.238), fifth in saves and seventh in appearances. He led the Big South in both runs allowed and earned runs allowed. In each of his three previous seasons with the Buccaneers, McCready has been among the team leaders in appearances and has played any role the team has asked of him — whether it be starter or relief pitcher.