Taggart commits to University of Utah
The University of Utah checked all the boxes on Aiden Taggart’s want list.
The 17-year-old, Grade 12 student at West Niagara Secondary School went for a visit to the school a couple of weeks ago and came away so impressed he committed to play baseball and study accounting for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Pac-12 Conference institution beginning in the fall of 2025.
“I visited the campus and loved it,” Taggart said. “I was interested in the school but I had interest in other schools and other schools interested in me but once I went down there and saw the campus, it just had everything on my checklist. It has everything I could want. I saw it and finished my tour there and immediately knew that’s where I wanted to spend four years of my life.”
Taggart, who was offered a scholarship package, also quickly fell in love with the surrounding area.
“It’s in Salt Lake City and wrapped around by the Rocky Mountains. It’s a unique landscape and I love it. The weather, in the summer it’s nice and warms for baseball and the winter climate is similar to Canada which is something I wanted.”
Taggart, who recently finished up a hectic 2023 season with a trip to the Dominican Republic with the Canadian Junior National Team (U18), said the deal with Utah came together relatively quickly.
“I first met and got in contact with their coaches in early September. Talks started to heat up when I went to tournaments in Florida and I kept in touch because it was a place I was interested in and I wanted to keep them up to date with how I was doing and show them that I had interest back,” he said. “They had some connections and asked about me and I guess they were happy with what they heard and saw and invited me to visit.”
Taggart, a right-handed pitcher who tops out at 90 miles-per-hour, feels it is in his best interest to take a gap year before beginning his collegiate career.
“I’ll take an extra year off so when I show up on campus in 2025 the expectation is for me to get some playing time, get some innings and actually play, he said. “If I were to go next year, I wouldn’t play as much, I wouldn’t be as big and strong as some of these college guys.
“I’ll be prepared, ready to go and my body will be in shape and ready to compete.”
Taggart is scheduled to graduate from West Niagara in June of 2024 and plans to work and keep in shape during his time off from school.
“Academically, I should be fine. I’ll find a job somewhere and during my off time spend a lot of time in the gym and throwing to keep healthy and performing as best as I can and then when I show up I’ll be ready to go and earn some playing time,” he said.
Taggart is relieved to have the process completed.
“The recruiting process, especially when other guys around you are starting to find schools and they’re giving them some offers and they reach their agreements, it can be stressful because it seems like you’re being left behind,” he said. “With it out of the way, it makes it so you can just focus on what’s directly in the moment. Stay in the now and not have to worry too far ahead in the future.”
He is thankful for those who have aided him in his journey.
“I think I owe it to my coaches and my parents who have invested so much time and money in me to pursue what I love. This is a result of their love and their effort,” he said.
Taggart plans to continue to play club ball for Fieldhouse out of Burlington next year and is also hopeful of a shot at the Canadian National Team who will play at the World Baseball/Softball championship qualifier.
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