NEW MILFORD, Ct. - A showcase at Fairfield while attending public school proved memorable for Nick Sturino.

While now a junior at Canterbury School, the road to a commitment with the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference university was an interesting path.

“I went to a showcase at Fairfield and they said we like you as a 2020, but really would like you as a 2021,” Sturino reflected. “So I reclassified which gave me another year to mature. Then with covid hitting, I never got to play in front of them in 2021. I had four or five offers from D-I schools and a couple of D-II offers and was going to pick one of them, but that night they called. They had gotten a call from my summer coach and didn’t know I hadn’t committed yet.”

It changed the future for the 18-year-old.

“Now I’m going to do a post grad year or gap year,” Sturino said of his decision to commit to Fairfield.

The 22nd-rated 2022 shortstop in New England, who will graduate from Canterbury this year, is happy to have Fairfield in his future no matter his classification.

“I’ve known the area my whole life,” Sturino explained. “I was born in Fairfield and I’ve known the city and the ocean there. It’s two different worlds for me.”

There was more that stood out about Fairfield to the Canterbury standout.

“Academically it’s what I want,” Sturino said. “The coaches there, coach (Brian) Fay (recruiting coordinator) and (head) coach (Bill) Currier, drew me to the school. I built a great relationship with them and it’s where I want to be the next four years, plus it’s not too far from home. All the stars aligned on this one.”

Admittedly, it was a long process with Fairfield.

“I talked a lot with them the year I transferred, then it slowed down but we still talked some,” Sturino said. “Once it came down to being official, I couldn’t do it without looking at all my options. Once I got an offer from them I had to take it.”

Fairfield saw Sturino as a player that fits in with the program.

“They’re big culture guys and they want to work hard,” Sturino said. “They push guys ahead to the next level and that’s what I want. I don’t want to settle, I want to strive to get to the next level. I think my game aligns to the way they play a lot.”

The 5-11 175-pounder is a different player than he was when first starting to converse with Fairfield.

“When I started talking to them I was 5-6, 130, and my game was based on speed,” Sturino reflected. “Being able to grow, I’m now able to play more shortstop instead of just second base. I’m more versatile to help make things work.

“I owe a lot to Canterbury,” Sturino added. “To be able to work at those facilities helped me gain a ton along with Baseball U Ct where I played AAU the last four years. I was able to watch my game go from where it was to where it is now.”

Sturino points to his growth as a big reason the opportunity to play Division I ball materialized.

“When I was young, around nine, I knew Division I was where I wanted to be,” Sturino explained. “I watched college baseball and pro baseball, everything for me evolved around baseball. 

“But I was a late bloomer, so I was behind the eight-ball with my height and strength. Then my first couple of years of high school I started to grow. I was the same age as everyone and then I started to grow and I thought I can go from a Division III player to Division I if I push myself. I had to push myself and push my mind to Division I when I reclassified. I’m still only 18 and in my fifth year.”

The virus added to the issues of reaching the D-I goal, hence the decision to do a post grad or gap year.

“Seniors are getting a year back and will still be part of rosters,” the 112th-ranked 2022 in New England pointed out. “This way I’m not clogging up a roster spot. I can have another year of lifting and getting in the best shape of my life. That will help me compete for a spot.”

Pat Vigilio and Todd Mathewson are credited with being major influences in his development and college decision according to Sturino, along with his father Carl.

“He never let me settle, pushing me to be the best I can be,” Sturino said of his dad. “He’s been the most important person.”

A 3.85 student planning on a major in the business field, Sturino admits making a commitment official was a surreal feeling.

“What a great family moment,” Sturino noted. “It was a big weight lifted off my shoulders. The pressure was lifted off me to know where I’m going the next four years. All the hard work paid off.”
Sturino is also happy his younger brother Brayden was able to witness what it took.

“I believe it was great for him to see his older brother push himself to get where he wanted to be and make it happen,” Sturino said of his 14-year-old sibling. “It was a big moment for him, and a push for him in the right direction.”