While many college students struggle to balance academics and extracurricular activities, Merrick native Danny Goodman has found a way to successfully manage life as both a collegiate baseball player and an award-winning artist.
The 2024 graduate of John F. Kennedy High School is completing his sophomore year at Clark University, where he balances classes, practices, games and studio assignments while continuing to grow as both a pitcher and an artist.
Growing up in Merrick, Goodman said the close-knit nature of the community helped shape him into the person he is today.
“My class for elementary school was like 60 kids,” Goodman said. “So being with the same group of people basically your whole life, you build really close-knit relationships with everyone.”
Even while attending school in Worcester, Massachusetts, Goodman said he still keeps in touch with many of his longtime friends during breaks.
Baseball has been part of Goodman’s life since he was 3 years old, but he said his competitive drive truly developed during high school.
“I don’t think I really got serious about baseball until my junior year of high school,” he said. “Playing more competitively really showed me how competitive I am as a pitcher.”
At the same time, Goodman discovered a passion for art.
Originally planning to pursue engineering because many family members were in the field, Goodman changed course after taking an art class during his junior year at Kennedy High School.
“I just sort of fell in love with creating art and painting and drawing,” he said.
The following year, he took AP 2D Drawing and earned a 5 on his portfolio, convincing him that art could become more than a hobby.
Now a studio art major, Goodman said balancing athletics and academics requires strong time management and discipline.
“Student comes first,” Goodman said. “All the homework, all my studies, they are mandatory before sports.”
He explained that he completes his schoolwork before heading to practices, lifts or bullpen sessions and uses any free time during the day productively.
“There really isn’t a lot of downtime,” he said. “It’s just about finding the time and the extra hours to put into the work.”
Goodman recalled one particularly demanding experience last year when he spent 10 straight hours overnight completing a final art project before driving an hour to a baseball game after only two hours of sleep.
“It was one of those instances where academics and athletics merged together,” he said.
Despite the demanding schedule, Goodman credited his professors, coaches and family for helping him succeed. He said Clark baseball coach Billy Cather has been especially understanding when academic responsibilities take priority.
“If I have a test I really have to study for, he’s totally okay with me missing practice or a lift,” Goodman said.
Goodman’s artistic talents also earned recognition this year when his colored-pencil drawing, “Triumph From Days Gone By,” received a Juror’s Prize at the ArtsWorcester College Show.
The piece, featuring an old baseball trophy, carried a deeper meaning than he initially realized.
“It reminded me of how just a piece of plastic can hold so many memories,” Goodman said. “It makes me reminisce about the days where my friends and I would just play the game for fun.”
Goodman said his artistic creativity has also helped him on the mound.
“Being so creative and out of the box helps me as a pitcher,” he said. “It helps me really change my pitches in certain ways to throw batters off balance.”
Former travel baseball coach Mike Sverator, who coached Goodman beginning at age 7, said Goodman stood out early for both his leadership and composure.
“We played a lot of games and won a lot of games, but we always tried to do it the right way,” Sverator said. “Danny was a true leader on our team.”
Sverator said Goodman’s calm demeanor has continued to serve him well as he has grown into a collegiate athlete.
“He doesn’t get rattled. Nothing bothers him,” Sverator said. “That calm presence under pressure — that’s not just a baseball lesson, that’s a lifelong lesson.”
Clark finished the season 21-17 and reached the NEWMAC Tournament before falling in the opening round. Goodman said the team’s playoff appearance marked a successful season, and he hopes to take on a larger leadership role moving forward.
While he does not envision pursuing professional baseball, Goodman said the sport still gives him purpose and enjoyment.
“For me personally, baseball right now is just having a fun time, going out there and competing with my teammates,” he said.
