Blake Dean honored by All Sports Association
Adam Pruiett
Daily News
FORT WALTON BEACH
[photopress:dean2website.jpg,full,pp_image]The trophies, the posters, the rings, the pictures, the plaques. Blake Dean says almost anywhere he goes at Alex Box Stadium, there’s a reminder of LSU’s run to the 2009 College World Series title. And seeing all the mementos gives the former Crestview High standout a sense of pride and accomplishment.
“You realize you did something special,” Dean said. “You’re part of a team that will always be remembered at LSU.”
Dean is a baseball player who will always be remembered in this area.
Following a year in which he was a cornerstone for a CWS championship-winning team, Dean has been named the 2010 Collegiate Award winner by the Fort Walton Beach-based All Sports Association.
“Once they started describing it and who had won it, it opened my eyes,” said Dean, who succeeds 2009 winner Glen Coffee, a former Fort Walton Beach High and University of Alabama star running back. “It’s a big honor and I’m very appreciative of it.”
Dean will be honored on Feb. 19 at the All Sports Association’s 41st Annual Awards Dinner in Fort Walton Beach, although he won’t be able to attend the ceremony. LSU opens its season on the very same day.
“We’re proud to honor Blake as our Collegiate Award winner. He’s an exceptional baseball player and a fine young man,” All Sports President Robert McEachern said. “He’s exhibited All-American traits at LSU. He’s become a great example of what a college athlete should be both on and off the field.”
Dean has had a storybook career so far at LSU. He was named a Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American his first year, a Baseball America First-Team All-American his sophomore year and was a First-Team All-SEC selection as a junior.
In his first three years at LSU, the Tigers’ win total rose from 29 to 49 to 56. Those latter two years saw LSU advance to the CWS, with the Tigers capturing the crown in 2009 by defeating Texas.
“I don’t think you could ever imagine it falling into your court the way it has,” Dean said.
Dean’s magical year also saw him picked in the 10th round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Minnesota Twins. He declined to sign with the Twins, instead opting to return to LSU for his senior season.
Dean will continue his assault on LSU’s record books. He’s currently sixth on the Tigers’ career RBI list with 190 and eighth in homers with 44.
Dean will undoubtedly go down as one of the best hitters to ever wear an LSU jersey, no small accomplishment considering the Tigers have won six national championships.
“I take it seriously and appreciate it,” said Dean, noting the passion of LSU’s fans and their reverence toward Tiger athletes. “That’s something people here cherish and love.”
As the All Sports award shows, Dean is cherished and love in this area as well.
