The State News took some time to catch up with Eckerle, who donned the Spartan uniform from 2008-2011, en route to becoming the program’s all-time hits leader.

– Stephen Brooks, The State News

What have you been doing since you got drafted last year?
“I was playing last summer … this past year, I was doing some substitute teaching around my hometown and helping coach at my old high school during baseball season. And now, over the summer (I’m) doing some maintenance work where my dad works over in Howell (Mich.)”

How did you come to the decision to stop playing baseball?
“I just got to the point where I wasn’t enjoying it as much. I had plans to go to law school, and I was kind of ready to move on and take the next step. It wasn’t easy, but I just decided that baseball is not what I wanted to do anymore.”

Now that you’re done with baseball, what do you plan to do next?
“I’m starting up law school at Michigan State in the fall.”

What made you want to go to law school?
“I don’t know if there’s one thing that made me decide, but when I was an (undergraduate), I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do. I took a law class that I really enjoyed, and it interested me. I shadowed a lawyer a little bit and talked with some lawyers. I got really interested in it, and I decided that’s what I’d like to do for the rest of my life.”

How much do you follow MSU baseball since you left?
“I made it to a few home games (this season), but I follow just about every game by the box scores. I definitely pay attention and follow how they’re doing.”

What were your thoughts on this year’s season?
“I thought they had a pretty good season. Obviously, making it to the (NCAA) regional was pretty awesome and another big step for the program — all in all, they had a great year. They had four players drafted, which is pretty cool, and I’m glad to see those guys do so well.”

After two of the best seasons in program history, how is the MSU baseball program different today than when you first came to campus?
“It’s quite a big difference. When I came in, they didn’t have the stadium, obviously; they didn’t have the hitting facility by the baseball field. So the facilities, number one, have been a huge improvement. And then as far as on the playing field, (head coach Jake Boss Jr.) came in and did a very good job of taking over and getting us to play at a higher level. If you had told me coming in as a freshman that we would win a Big Ten championship, then the next year make it to an NCAA regional with an at-large bid, I don’t know if I would have believed it. It’s definitely come a long way in four years, or five years, since I was there.”

What do you miss most about playing in a Spartan uniform?
“I’d definitely say I miss my teammates the most. I mean, I stay in contact with a lot of them; I guess I miss those guys.”

What’s it going to be like to return to campus and not be an athlete?
“I’m not going to say it’ll be easier because, from what I hear, law school is pretty challenging, but I think it’ll be a little less stressful. (I will) have a little bit more free time, so I can focus more on school and not having a time commitment with everything from baseball. It’ll be a different experience, and I’m looking forward to it.”