FAU enters the 2011 season as Sun Belt Conference champions, but what might stand out most from last year is the name Andy Mee. He may be known as a top player to fans, but to the team, he is more than that.
Mee, an outfielder and pitcher, isn’t the type of player that boasts about himself. While some players may grumble at cleaning the dugout after a long game, Mee is always the first player on his hands and knees picking up trash.
“Mee is just a guy who gets it,” said Head Coach John McCormack. “He is one of the most selfless and hardworking players I have had the privilege to know.”
Mee, a senior criminal justice major, transferred to FAU from Santa Fe College for the 2010 season. During his two seasons at Santa Fe, he was named the team MVP twice. He also helped lead the Saints to a 2009 Florida State Championship title and a runner-up finish in the Junior College national tournament.
After making a name for himself in junior college, Mee continued his breakout streak as he moved to Division 1 baseball at FAU. His 2010 season saw him topping the charts in FAU statistics. In addition to finishing the season leading the team with a .378 batting average, he recorded 99 hits, finishing five short of the FAU single-season record set by Robbie Widlansky in 2007.
“You can’t bet against the guy,” said McCormack. “He wasn’t a high draft out of high school, but he’s become an incredible player since he’s been playing college ball.”
Part of what makes Mee a stand-out player is his ability to perform not only at the plate, but also on the mound. Mee made 21 appearances as a pitcher last season. Some of his outings as a pitcher came with him having to go directly from the outfield to close the game on the mound. Mee finished last season 1 – 2 with a 2.96 ERA.
“He was the all-conference closer last season,” said pitching coach Jason Jackson. “I think he has what it takes to pitch and hit in the pros, but he is without a doubt a pro hitter.”
Mee was credited with the final out on the mound against Florida International University last season by striking out Jabari Henry to clinch FAU’s first Sun Belt conference title in school history. When the season was over, Mee was named to the All-Sun Belt team, and the All-South Central Region second team.
Planning to graduate sometime in the summer or fall, Mee will try his luck by going into the Major League Baseball draft in June. If he’s not drafted, he plans to work in his father’s pool business until he finds a job in criminal justice. Mee’s goal, however, is to play at the next level.
“I would love to play for the Boston Red Sox. That’s my dad’s favorite team,” said Mee of where he’d like to go should he turn professional. “But I’d like the Marlins or any team in the south where there isn’t a lot of snow.”
Mee’s dad and family have influenced and cheered on the versatile 22-year-old since a young age, and they still do so now. At every home game, you will find the Andy Mee cheering section, which consists of Mee’s parents, older brother, and a handful of his aunts, uncles and cousins.
“They’ve all been coming to my games since childhood,” said Mee. “They’ve been a great source of inspiration.”
That inspiration is part of what makes Mee a recognized player, but also a dedicated and hardworking one.
