Commitment To UConn ‘A Dream Come True” For Margolies

Daniel Margolies LHP / 1B / Cheshire Academy, CT / 2025

CHESHIRE, Ct. - “I can’t imagine baseball not in my life.”

Daniel Margolies does not have to worry about that any more, at least for the next half dozen years after the Cheshire Academy junior made a commitment to the University of Connecticut.

“Growing up I always wanted to be far from home, go to school in the south,” Margolies related. “But UConn has always had a special place in my heart growing up here. It’s in the Top 25 every year and they always have a chance at going to Omaha.”

The third-rated 2025 left-handed pitcher in New England is hoping to be a part of that experience after selecting Connecticut over a large group of interested colleges.

“They first saw me the first week of summer when they were watching two of my teammates,” Margolies reflected. “It was my first pitching outing coming back from Tommy John and I struck out the side. They called on Aug. 1 and saw me again at the end of August. In the middle of September I went on a visit and loved the facilities and the atmosphere. They gave me an offer then and I gave it a couple of weeks. It was between UConn and Penn State and I decided on UConn.

“The big thing was the loyalty and trust there with (pitching) coach (Joshua) MacDonald and (head) coach (Jim) Penders,” Margolies added. “I like the stability there. Also, growing up in Connecticut it’s a dream come true.”

The Future Games played a major role in the 17-year-old getting interest from UConn and many other colleges.

“PBR definitely had a huge effect on my recruiting process, especially the Future Games,” Margolies explained. “I didn’t do that well there, but a  lot of schools called. It wasn’t just the Future Games that helped, I went to the New England Games and All-Star Games, but most of my interest was through the Future Games.”

Georgetown offered as a two-way player but the 16th-ranked junior in Connecticut is ready to give up his bat at the next level, while Northeastern was another school showing interest. However, Connecticut proved to be the right fit for the 6-1 160-pound southpaw.

“They loved my curveball and being a lefty,” the top-ranked 2025 left-handed pitcher in Connecticut said. “Coming back from Tommy John, they see a lot of potential and upside with getting bigger, stronger and throwing harder.”

It was in the spring of 2022 when the injury occurred.

“That was really tough,” reflected Margolies, a sophomore at Cheshire High School at the time. “I was going into my biggest recruiting summer and didn’t know what to do. I talked to my Cheshire High coach, Alex Lefevre, who went to UConn and they reached out to him.”

Still, it was admittedly a difficult time. After all, Margolies “can’t imagine baseball not in my life.”

“Tommy John was a long process going to PT and the gym but it really helped me mentally to know I can come back stronger and better,” Margoles said. “I can throw with more velo now.”

Margolies pointed to coaches Brian Looney, Pete Mrowka and Brian Tanguy along with his parents and “especially my big sister” with playing meaningful roles in helping him on his baseball journey.

“Without them I wouldn’t be where I am,” Margolies said.

All were helpful in the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.

“I’ve always thought about college baseball,” the 41st-ranked junior in New England reflected. “I’ve loved baseball since I first touched it and I’ve wanted to play for as long as I could. It’s basically my life now.

“It’s a dream come true,” Margolies continued. “I’ve always loved baseball and I can’t imagine baseball not in my life.”

Those words continue to echo from Margolies, whose commitment day was memorable, especially after going through the adversity of Tommy John.

“Honestly, it was awesome,” Margolies said. “My family thought I would go south when I was growing up. My sister goes to Miami and now she’s coming back up here after she graduates to see me play.”

Attending college just 50 minutes from home is now a plus in the eyes of Margolies, a 3.8 student at Cheshire Academy who is leaning toward a major in sport management and marketing at UConn.

“I’m ready for the college experience,” Margolies concluded. “The baseball aspect just makes it better. You go in having a family already so that’s going to be great, especially playing at such a competitive level.”