Editor’s Note: Cameron Crossett is the host of “Cam’s Corner,” a Villager Video podcast. Grant DeVivo is the Villager’s sports editor.
Members of the Stevenson club baseball team huddled together at the end of their game. The players were not in a good mood because they had just lost. As the huddle broke up and the players dispersed, the coach asked if there were any last remarks from the team captains and managers.
Cameron Crossett had something to say.
Crossett remembered, even though the details are fuzzy, that he said something along the lines of, “Bats were hot and intensity in the dugout was clutch. The future is bright for us, I think we can all agree this team is going far.”
Crossett is the Stevenson club baseball team’s manager, and his love for the sport led him to be the only student manager.
He is originally from Seattle, Washington and he has lived in Niagara Falls for almost half of his life. Prior to becoming a baseball manager at Stevenson University, he served as manager at University of D.C., and Montgomery College. He is also majoring in communication studies.
Crossett has a very severe medical condition, which prohibits him from playing sports. This heart condition is called tricuspid atresia.
“What it basically means is half my heart doesn’t function. So I have to use either medicine or I have to take medicine on a daily, basis, twice a day.”
Tricuspid atresia is a “birth defect of the heart where the valve that controls blood flow from the right upper chamber of the heart to the right lower chamber of the heart doesn’t form at all.” (See additional information here.)
He has an ICD, which stands for an internal cardiac defibrillator. It monitors how high or low the heart rate is. If the heart rate is too low, then it will shock the heart back to normal rhythm.
Even though Crossett cannot play baseball, his passion for the sport is lucid in key strides he has made as the club baseball manager. During games, he has made recommendations to the coach telling him his opinion on players that should be put in and strategies that should be used.
“The first time I did that, I thought to myself ‘there’s no chance he is going to listen to me.’ Then he put in the player I recommended. This player came out to pitch, and I was like, wow, I actually do feel recognized.”
Members of the club baseball team remember him for his kind words and motivation. His attitude has impacted all players to be better, whether it is in sports or in the classroom.
“He will always have something nice to say always something like motivational to say at the end of those practices that helps the team.” Brady Sahady, player and Vice President of Stevenson club baseball said.
During his journey, he has realized that he is a part of the program even though he is not playing. He developed a family in the club baseball team, which led him to make a tricky decision.
For the time being, Crossett focuses on doing live announcing for club and varsity sports, so his involvement with club baseball will be limited.
“I will be there periodically, like the first game of the year, this upcoming season, I will be there, but after that, it’s probably not the case,” Cameron said.
He decided to go into commentating during games for club and varsity sports. He will be heard during live matches and games narrating the rapid scenes for different sports.
The baseball team loves him, and the coaching staff hates to see him go but he must go pursue his career.
“They understand everything that I am going through outside of baseball, and medically,” Crossett said. And I just think, you know, that has been really helpful in bringing my opinions to the program.”
Grant DeVivo is a senior catcher from Westminster, Maryland. He said that Crossett has become a dependable friend.
“He’s just a light in the world when people need it the most. He’s been there for me, and he’s been a brother to me. He’s lifted me up and he’s kept me encouraged. He’s done everything he can to just step in and just be a good influence and just someone who continues to keep me motivated, “ DeVivo, team co-captain, said.
“He’s been a positive influence on me just because of his support and his ability to get somebody like me locked back in when I when I’m falling apart.” said DeVivo, a senior business communication major, and sports editor at The Villager.
Crossett has been very influential in the growth of his friends and athletes.
“So, I think I’ve only helped them grow. But I was told by our head coach, you know, we, we had some years that we really could have needed you. But we are in a position that you’ve helped us get to where we are that we can go the season without you,” Crossett said.
“And I think that meant a lot to me because how I consider I’ve helped a program to which the coaching staff considers is a little different. It’s even more valuable than I couldn’t even imagine which I can’t be grateful enough.”
“I know he’s going to continue to come support us and we support him and whatever he does in his sports career, I’m going to be there with him,” DeVivo said.
