Arizona State University has announced a new educational partnership with Major League Baseball that will offer professional athletes the opportunity to succeed in their post-baseball careers. Through the new MLB +ASU Education Partnership, players can pursue online education in any state through ASU and its partners, including English proficiency via Global Launch. High school diploma and GED programs, undergraduate and graduate degrees, non-degree courses and certifications are available for current and veteran players and players’ education costs will be covered.
Chris Young, a veteran MLB player, can personally attest to the benefits of pursuing a degree through ASU Online. In 2021, he graduated from ASU with a degree in their online business administration program. The experience was so positive, he started the conversation that helped enable the partnership to become a reality.
“Initially, the idea of going back to school was daunting, especially after being away for nearly 20 years,” said Young, who played for the Diamondbacks from 2006 to 2012 and retired as an MLB player from the Los Angeles Angels in 2018.
“However, my apprehension quickly faded when I learned about ASU’s dedicated support team, designed to facilitate a smooth transition for students like me.”
Like any ASU Online student, players will be assigned success coaches to provide tailored guidance for enrollment, academic progress and career planning, and access to services including online tutoring, career development and wellness support.
“Traditionally, we’ve looked for ways to advance opportunity for people around the world. Sports provide a very unique and special way to do that because sport matters so much in terms of who we are as a nation and how we interact on the global stage,” Chris Howard, executive vice president and chief operating officer of ASU. “And to make sure that these athletes and, in turn, their families, are going to have good lives and opportunities beyond the diamond is very much in line with what we want to do as a university.”
The partnership currently offers a broad range of programs to current and veteran players at the major league levels. A key component of the initiative is that ASU, through partnerships, can provide education options at every level to support players who prefer to learn in Spanish.
Paul Mifsud, vice president and head baseball operations counsel for MLB, said: “Major League Baseball recognizes that player development, both on and off the field, leads to long-term success.
“MLB’s agreement with Arizona State University will provide players with a range of top-tier educational options to meet the academic and developmental needs of MLB players.”
Photo courtesy of MLB
