« Baseball 2013

Michael Felton

School
Campbell
Position
Second Base
Major
Mass Communications
AVG
.333
R
33
H
54
FLD%
.970
RBI
38

Classroom

Michael Felton is a well-rounded student-athlete. He diligently focuses on his academic and athletic demands on a daily basis. He demonstrates leadership and character on the field, in the classroom and in the community. Not only does Michael take care of his own academic responsibilities, but he also encourages his teammates to do the same. He mentors younger guys on the team, checking with how they are adjusting to college life, being a college student-athlete and being independent for the first time in their lives. Michael leads by example on the baseball team by doing things the right way like getting up early, having a positive attitude and having a contagious smile on his face throughout the day. He manages his time wisely and holds his teammates accountable for their time, actions and attitudes on the baseball field and around campus. Michael has had outstanding relationships with his professors, classmates and peers here at Campbell University. He enjoys meeting and really getting to know the people in his classes. He participates in different organizations and clubs around campus as well as being an advocate for the Campbell Baseball program. He inspires his teammates, he enriches his classmates, and he challenges the faculty and staff to be the best Camels they can be.

Character

Michael Felton is not only a standout, All-American baseball player, but a true leader on his team. As his head coach at Campbell, Greg Goff, puts it, Mike is one of those guys that if you saw our team, you wouldn’t pick him out of a lineup. He’s kind of an average looking guy, but his work ethic and his mental advantage is what has made him become a really successful baseball player. He can handle the failures of baseball and adjust quickly, and that’s why he is the player and the person that he is. He’s mentally tough, and his work ethic is second to none. When you put those two characteristics into a baseball player, you’re going to be very successful. Michael provides tremendous leadership for Coach Goff’s team. Michael is a true “first to arrive, last to leave” player, always willing to lead his teammates in extra batting practice or take extra ground balls. Described by coaches and players alike as the team’s captain in the middle, Michael helps them be prepared at all times, especially when things get tough. He’s the rock of the Campbell offense, batting third and doing it all for the Camels. If you ask Michael about this, however, he will tell you that he has some great guys around him that help him get good pitches to hit. He’s a hard worker and a guy that has certainly made his mark on this program so far.

Community

Michael Felton enjoys helping others above himself, he strives to make others better and making the community a happier place to be. He was a part of collecting nearly 2,200 pounds of food that went to local families in the Harnett County communities this past semester. The baseball team will host another food collection and donation at one of their upcoming games. He has spent several hours volunteering at a local elementary school as a part of Camels in the Classroom. He helps the students with reading, writing and various activities to help them learn. He has had the opportunity to tutor and mentor these kids, to witness their learning styles and show them how important school is to their future. Although, Michael enjoys teaching kids the importance of education, one of his favorite things to teach kids is how to play baseball and develop their skills. He has helped organize, train and lead the baseball clinics the past few years at Campbell University. Michael has developed the stations the kids go to, coordinate volunteers and assign campers to their respective leaders. He loves being able to see kids pick up a baseball, play catch and learn how to make contact with a ball for the very first time. Michael truly is a senior leader in all aspects.

Competition

Michael Felton is a 2013 NCBWA preseason first team All-American, a College Sports Madness preseason second team All-American and was selected by the Big South Conference head coaches as the 2013 BSC preseason Co-Player of the Year. As a junior in 2012, his first as a Camel, Felton was named second team All-American and first team All-Atlantic by the ABCA, also earning second team All-American honors from the NCBWA. The Tempe, Ariz. native was also named to the NCCSIA All-State team and first team All-Big South, while earning Big South Presidential Honor Roll accolades. He was named Regional Player of the Week by College Baseball Insider and Big South Player of the Week (5/18/12), batting .625 (15-for-24) with four runs scored, five RBI, two doubles and two stolen bases in helping the Camels to a 4-1 week. In 2012, Felton set the Big South and Campbell single season hits record with 103, also setting CU single season records for singles (87), at-bats (243) and games played (59). He hit a conference-best .424 on the season with 12 doubles, three triples and a home run, scoring 52 runs with 45 RBI. Felton also owned a .524 slugging and .474 on-base percentage. Felton posted multiple hits in 35 games, including a streak of 12 straight from March 2-17. Prior to Campbell, Felton received first team NJCAA D-II All-Region and second-team All-ACCAC (all divisions) accolades as a sophomore at Gateway Community College, leading the Geckos to their first-ever NJCAA D-II World Series appearance.