Horizons Fall 2014

40 HORIZONS By Walter Villa T he impact of Nova Southeastern University athletics can be clearly seen in Major League Baseball (MLB), where J.D. Martinez has emerged as a standout, while Miles Mikolas and Mike Fiers are becoming more and more established. But NSU’s pro impact is also evident in golf, with Sandra Changkija, Taylor Collins, and Greg O’Mahony. NSU alumni have a spot in soccer, too, where Aly Hassan and Darryl Gordon play for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Here’s a look at NSU alumni who have become profes- sional athletes. • J.D. Martinez, 27, a sport and recreation management major, is the starting left fielder for the Detroit Tigers, and is putting up impressive numbers. Martinez is still NSU’s all-time leader in home runs. In November 2014, he was inducted into the university’s Athletic Hall of Fame. He was drafted by the Houston Astros in 2009 and made it to the majors in 2011, hitting a combined total of 24 homers in three years before getting his shot at playing in Detroit this season. • Miles Mikolas, 26, bachelor’s degree in sport and recre- ation management, 2013, was drafted in the seventh round of the 2009 MLB draft, going to the San Diego Padres. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound, right-handed pitcher made his MLB debut in 2012 with the Padres and, this year, has pitched in the majors for the Texas Rangers. • Mike Fiers, 29, a sport and recreation management major, was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2009 and made his MLB debut in 2011. The right-hander is in his fourth season pitching for the Brewers. • Sandra Changkija, 25, bachelor’s degree in business management, 2011, has made it look easy, cracking the elite LPGA Tour on her first try in 2012. Last year, she earned $52,701 in prize money, finishing a career-best ninth place in the LPGA’s Safeway Classic. She was the NCAA Division II National Player of the Year all four seasons she was in college. She also led NSU to three straight national titles. • Taylor Collins, 25, bachelor’s degree in sport and recre- ation management, 2011, plays in golf’s minor leagues. During her college career, she helped NSU win three national titles, earning first-team All-American honors in 2011. She then turned pro and, last year, won Golf Channel’s competition-based reality show, The Big Break , earning $100,000 in cash and prizes. • Greg O’Mahony, 27, bachelor’s degree in business admin- istration, 2009, a three-time All-American at NSU, turned pro in 2009 and competes in golf’s minor leagues. O’Mahony set nine NSU records and, in November, will be inducted into the university’s Athletic Hall of Fame. A Look at NSU Athletes Turned Professional J.D. Martinez