The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Senior salute: Bryan Herrera
05.15.2006 | Baseball
Some kids grow up wanting to be like their parents in one way or another, and it was no different for Bryan Herrera.
From an early age, Herrera knew he wanted to play baseball, but he credits his dreams of becoming a National Champion at The University of Texas to his father.
Bryan's father, Howard Herrera, now a special assistant for the Longhorns, was a member of UT's 1975 College World Series Championship team, something that Bryan says has inspired him to get to where he is today; a senior on the Longhorns baseball club and a member of the 2005 National Championship squad.
Having a baseball coach for a father, Bryan was constantly exposed to the sport growing up and has gained more respect for his father over the years.
"I respect everything about my dad," said Bryan. "His dedication and work ethic are prevalent in everything he does, so having him to guide me has been unbelievable."
When Herrera attended Galveston College to play baseball his freshman and sophomore years, it was always his dream to eventually come and play at UT. While he had opportunities to play baseball at many other schools, when the time came to choose, Herrera decided to be a Longhorn.
"We were both excited when Bryan got the chance to come here," said Howard Herrera. "He was born a Longhorn, grew up a Longhorn and it was a dream come true for him to put on that uniform for the first time."
Herrera admits it has been a very different kind of experience actually getting to play on a team that his father is a part of as well. Although it has created a unique kind of relationship between them, Herrera likes the fact that he gets to see his father every day.
"Before I played here, our personal time together usually revolved around baseball because that's what we had in common," said Herrera. "Now we try and keep baseball only on the field. When we see each other away from the diamond, we can talk about other things going on in our lives. It has been a good change."
Howard agrees that having his son at Texas has been very special for him as well. He wishes that his career in baseball had allowed him to make more of Bryan's high school and junior college games, however, it has made the experience of their shared times at Texas all the more special over the last three years.
"I was a little concerned when he came here that I might treat him differently than the other players, but after watching others coach him his whole life, it has not been hard for me to hold back and just be his dad when the day is officially over," said Howard Herrera.
Similar to his father, the highlight of Herrera's career was being a part of a National Championship team at Texas. Herrera describes the season as magical and said winning the College World Series was almost destined to happen the way his team made their way through the postseason.
"I don't think losing ever crossed anyone's mind in Omaha," said Herrera. "From the moment we stepped off the plane, we knew we were there to win the National Championship and there was no doubt in anyone's mind that we would accomplish that goal. When J. Brent Cox threw that final pitch against Florida, I had never felt such a rush of emotion. I will never forget that moment."
Howard, who has been a part of four National Championship teams on the Forty Acres as either a student manager or team staff member, could not be happier for his son.
"I was excited that Bryan was part of a National Championship team and that he will have those memories and mementos forever," said Howard Herrera. "With the opportunities Bryan has had on the baseball field, he has always had success. From performing well at the plate during the Alumni Games to being a leader on and off the field, I couldn't be any more proud of him."
The younger Herrera will take that moment from Omaha and other baseball memories with him when he leaves UT after this season, but he will leave behind the mark of a leader. As a senior in 2006, Herrera has taken on an older brother role to many of the new players.
"You really need someone to make you feel like you're part of the team and teach you the ropes at first," said Herrera. "I feel like I know the drill, so it's important that I share that with the new guys on the team."
While college is a time to grow up for many people, the experiences that baseball has given Herrera have allowed him to mature as a person and prepare for life after college.
"You come away with a sense of where you are going in your life," said Herrera. "Coach (Augie) Garrido has always said that baseball is a metaphor for life and I truly believe that. It gives you a different perspective, yet mirrors life with its struggles and exhilarations."
Although Herrera will soon leave the Longhorns team, he will be taking with him valuable life lessons as well as a sense of accomplishment in achieving a childhood dream.
"I will always be a National Champion at The University of Texas," said Herrera. "It's pretty rare that something like that happens and being able to say those words is something I'll never forget."