By Jim Hague
Brian Gill is not the biggest guy in the world. He’s not the fastest one and doesn’t possess the world’s best throwing arm. The Rutgers-Newark senior outfielder and team captain isn’t going to wow people with his tremendous power or blow people away with his physical tools.
But there is one aspect, one attribute about Gill that doesn’t show up on a scouting report.
He’s just a flat-out winner and always has been.
No matter the field of play, no matter the sport, Gill has performed to the highest level and has been successful.
From his days as a Little Leaguer in his hometown of Manasquan, N.J., through high school, where he helped Wall Township earn NJSIAA state championships in baseball and football, Gill has been a part of winning teams and programs.
“I’ve been fortunate to always play with winning programs,” Gill said. “Ever since I was young, I’ve always expected to succeed. I always hold myself to the highest standard and do whatever it takes to win. It’s what I’ve been used to. I got into that habit as a young kid, always being on the winning side.”
Rutgers-Newark head baseball coach Mark Rizzi recognized that trait early on.
“He just does the things that help you win games,” Rizzi said. “He’s not flashy and doesn’t do anything extraordinary. But he’s very good at being a No. 2 hitter and does his job every single day.”
Rizzi said that Gill got a chance to enter the Scarlet Raiders’ starting lineup as a freshman, because another player was injured, and Gill never stepped out of the lineup again.
“He got his opportunity to start in the lineup and never relinquished his spot,” Rizzi said.
Gill came to R-N after a brilliant high school career at Wall Township High School. In baseball, he was a three-year starter and helped the Crimson Knights to Monmouth County, Shore Conference and the NJSIAA Group III state championship. He was also the Most Valuable Player of the 2004 Monmouth County Tournament.
In football, Gill played for the Wall varsity for four years and helped his team to the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III crown in 2003.
It’s that winning attitude that Rizzi was happy to have enter his baseball program.
“I can’t take the credit for bringing him here,” Rizzi said. “One of my former assistant coaches (Sal Palmieri, who coached Gill’s summer league team, the Wall Angels) said that if you watch Brian play every day, you’ll fall in love with him. That’s what has happened. You really appreciate all he can do when you see him play every day. He does all the little things. He’s just in the right place at the right time.”
Gill batted .333 as a freshman, second on the team, and drove in the winning run with a ninth-inning single in the New Jersey Athletic Conference playoffs against William Paterson, the first time that the Scarlet Raiders qualified for the NJAC playoffs.
“That was an exciting time for us all, going to the playoffs and feeling that great feeling,” Gill said.
As a sophomore, Gill suffered a hip injury diving for a fly ball and his batting average slipped a bit, dipping to .266 overall.
But Gill rebounded in a big way in 2008, batting .318 with 54 hits and 40 runs scored, all marks that placed him third among the Scarlet Raiders.
Now, as Gill enters his final campaign with the R-N baseball program, he has high aspirations to leave a legacy.
“We haven’t made the (NJAC) playoffs since my freshman year, so I’d love to do it again,” Gill said. “I hope we can have a good season, so I can end my career on a high note. I know everyone on the team is excited about the season. We look prepared and ready. It’s going to be a very exciting season.”
Gill said that he relishes his role as the team captain, a title he has held for the last two seasons.
“It’s not a big responsibility, but I think I do have the respect of my teammates,” Gill said. “I just try to keep everyone active and alive. I try to keep everyone up. I try not to do too much, just keep everyone’s heads on their shoulders.”
Rizzi said that Gill’s leadership role isn’t even talked about.
“I think he knows how important he is,” Rizzi said. “There’s no need to talk about it. He’s started for three years and contributed so much. He shows up and does what he has to do. It’s expected that he’s going to lead us.”
Gill said that he also loves his role as the Scarlet Raiders’ No. 2 hitter.
“It’s a perfect fit for me, because of the way I play,” Gill said. “Being in that role makes it easier for everyone else.”
Gill will graduate in May with a degree in history. More than likely, Gill will enter the education field, as he aspires to be a teacher and quite possibly a coach.
“I think as a player I’ve set an example for others to follow,” Gill said. “Being a teacher and a coach is the same type of thing. I’m looking forward to that part of my life.”
But before he heads off to a career in education, Gill would like to leave his permanent mark on the R-N baseball program, leading them to a few more wins and a berth in the NJAC playoffs.
After all, it’s what winners do – and Brian Gill has proven that he is truly a winner.
