The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Meet the newcomers: Zane Gurwitz
02.11.2014 | Baseball
Gurwitz earned all-area honors three times at Winston Churchill High School in San Antonio
Last fall, the Texas baseball program welcomed the second-ranked recruiting class nationally according to Baseball America to campus. Zane Gurwitz came to UT from Winston Churchill High School in San Antonio, where he had a .458 batting average with 49 runs, 24 RBIs and four home runs his senior season. He was selected to the first team all-district, first team all-area and San Antonio Express News Super Team each of his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. A lifelong Texas fan, Gurwitz has six relatives who attended UT, including his grandfather Robert, who played football for the Longhorns.
What does it mean to you and your family to be able to wear the burnt orange?
Having grown up a longhorn it means the world to my family and I to finally wear the bunt orange for my own. Carrying on the family tradition was a dream of mine as a kid and it's great now that it is a reality.
What do you like about the coaching staff?
The best part about the coaching staff is how experienced they are. There is so much to learn about the game of baseball as you increase in level and our coaching staff knows just about everything there is.
Who is your biggest mentor?
My dad has always been my biggest mentor. He has always pushed me to be the best I can and that is something that sticks with you for life and will help me at UT.
Who is the UT baseball alumni you look up to most?
Brooks Kieschnick. While he lived in San Antonio he was one of my first batting coaches when I was younger. At the time I was not aware of how successful he was while at UT, but now I am able to appreciate his accomplishments.
What is one story that your grandfather has shared with you about his football career at UT?
In the movie The Express, the story of Ernie Davis and his Heisman year, Syracuse plays UT in the movie. During this game my grandfather scores and they announce his name in the movie. After this movie came out he told all of us about the game and how great Ernie was and how cool it was to play against him.
What is the most rewarding moment you've had playing baseball?
Being able to play for the winningest coach in D1 baseball history is by far the most rewarding moment I have had in my years of playing baseball.
What is the best baseball advice anyone has ever given you?
To believe someone is always watching. If you have the mentality that someone is always watching you, you will practice and play to the best of your ability and soon enough it will be second nature to always give it your all.
You're going to be the first player in the modern history of UT baseball to wear number 50. Why did you choose that number?
Since I started playing sports 50 has been my number. For all sports I was 50. This started when I was a young boy from San Antonio always watching David Robinson play for the Spurs. He was such a great role model and respectable player, that I decided to be number 50 just like him.
