Hall-of-Famer Transfers with Scholarship, Now Teaches & Coaches
Todd Allen
Alumni / Herkimer Baseball Hall-of-Famer, Multiple Handicap Teacher Assistant, & Coach
Are you a current student or alumni?
Alumni, Class of 2007
Tell us a little about yourself.
After Herkimer College I received a scholarship to play baseball at the University of Vermont. After that year I transferred to SUNY Brockport with my Physical Education degree. After an injury ended my career in baseball, I am currently working for the Rome City School District as a Multiple Handicap Teacher Assistant, mainly with an 11-year-old girl with Downs Syndrome. I am also Head Freshman Football Coach and 8th Grade Basketball Coach at RFA.
Why did you choose Herkimer College?
The reason why I chose Herkimer College was the connection I made with the Head Baseball Coach, Jason Rathbun. He really made me feel like Herkimer was a home-away-from-home and being close to home made it that much easier. I wanted to go to a school that had Physical Education and would further prepare me for a 4-year college. I also wanted to help build the baseball program to be an Elite program such as the other sports programs are at Herkimer College.
What are your greatest career and/or personal successes to date?
My greatest achievement thus far in my life would be having the honor of being inducted into the Herkimer College Athletic Hall of Fame in October of 2013. That would be number one.
Number two would be achieving my degree in Physical Education.
Number three would be my accomplishments that I achieved while playing baseball at Herkimer College: Male Athlete of the Year, 2-time All-American, 2-time World Series participant, and 2-Time All-Region/All-Conference.
Finally, being able to have the opportunity to still be close to sports by coaching.
How has Herkimer College helped you to succeed?
Herkimer helped me succeed by teaching me that no matter what, if you want something in life, you have to put in the work because in the end the hard work will pay off. Don’t ever give up on the goals and dreams that you have set for yourself. It also taught me not to be scared of success and to take advantage of opportunities that present themselves.
What were some of your favorite things about attending Herkimer?
Some of my favorite things about attending Herkimer College was the family atmosphere that I felt when I was there and to this day still feel every time I go back for a visit. The relationship with professors giving help with academics was phenomenal. I loved being a part of the athletics family as well with everyone wanting every other team to be successful and the support we gave each other was tremendous.
Did you compete in a sport at Herkimer College?
I was a baseball player at Herkimer College. My experience put into one word was: unreal.
I really am so thankful that I chose to attend Herkimer College because of the friends and teammates that I grew with over a two year span have now turned into a friendship that will last as long as I live. The experience has contributed so much to my life and has given me memories that I will never forget. A lot of how I coach my athletes now is how my coach treated me when I was a player. I still have the passion and drive that I had when I was playing and my goal is to help each one of my players not only to become a better athlete, but to develop overall as a person – just like how I was taught at Herkimer College.
What advice would you give to future Herkimer College students?
The advice I would give is to enjoy the experience that you have at Herkimer College. The two years just fly by. This college is something special. It is a community among students that come together and get involved in athletics, committees, or any other programs offered at Herkimer College. Once you leave Herkimer College, you will always have the feeling of wanting to go back.
I am so grateful for what the college has done for me and the impact my experience had on me. I know that Herkimer College will always be my “home away from home.”