Remember the junior high horror stories of wedgies and swirlies? Or lying awake the summer before starting high school and wondering who you’d sit with at lunchtime, or if you would have someone to ride with to the local lunch spot?
Josh Verdon doesn’t. As the youngest of four (and the third of three boys separated by only one grade apiece), it could have been a nightmare. It was a positive instead.
“If I had to make a (pros and cons of being the youngest sibling) list, I think it would be a very heavy pro list,” Verdon said. “They had already made a good impression on my teachers and coaches, so I always started out on a good foot.
“If I made a mistake they could help me sort of walk me through it. They were also good and warning me about certain things that kept me out of trouble. And I always had a built-in group of older friends.”
By following his siblings’ example, Verdon developed a strong sense of what leadership is about. By becoming the only one of his siblings to attend a different University than San Diego State, he made the decision to take what he had learned and head out on his own.
Verdon made a good impression on Chico State Baseball Coach Dave Taylor and the Wildcats’ fans all by himself in 2020, appearing in eight of the Wildcats’ 22 games (starting twice) and compiling a 1-1 record and 3.86 ERA.
He also continued to observe great leadership in action.
“Last year I was more following the older guys as opposed to being able to lead myself, which was awesome to learn,” Verdon said. “All those guys were phenomenal humans and baseball players and really showed me what I want to be as a leader over the next few years.”
Verdon has always embraced the opportunity to put what he has learned into action.
In high school, he participated in Associated Student Body beach cleanups and helped put together an event for Special Olympics that lives on annually. Verdon also received the 2016–17 Granite Hills High School Sportsmanship Award, recognizing those who pursue victory with honor, and helped lead the 2016 team to the CIF San Diego Section Division I title.
At Grossmont Community College, he was a two-way player who led the Griffons to consecutive winning seasons.
Now, with only a handful of players from the 2020 roster expected to remain for the spring of 2022, Verdon can help set the tone and communicate the expectations for the Wildcats. It’s an opportunity he relishes.
“Traditionally I’ve been a leader. It’s definitely a challenge, but I’m looking forward to the opportunity to hold a leadership position once again,” he said. “It’s going to be up to us to lead the way and show the new guys how we get things done as far as the baseball program. Hopefully I’ll be able to do well physically, but also by picking guys up and encouraging them to be their best.”
For the past few weeks, Verdon and some other Chico State baseball players have been cleared to participate in their first in-person team activity in more than a year. It’s been a good reminder for Verdon and his teammates.
“Obviously, you miss it. Sometimes when you’re playing day in and day out in can start to feel like a grind, but after this much time away you really start to miss it and appreciate what baseball brings to your life,” Verdon said.
He initially came to Chico State planning to graduate with his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in three years. But with two more years of athletic eligibility still remaining, Verdon has added a minor in applied statistics to his academic plan.
He’s got some other plans as well. This summer, he’s hoping to go skydiving with his brothers’ girlfriend.
“He doesn’t want to go, so I told her I would go with her,” Verdon explained.
And post-college, Verdon is considering a stint in the military.
“It was just something I was always interested in. I didn’t understand the full scope of it when I was a kid, but had all the action figures and played the video games,” Verdon said. “In high school, when I was trying to make a decision on where I wanted to go to college, I was thinking of possibly joining the Naval Academy. It’s still something that, whenever I think about the future, pops up in my mind.”
In the meantime, Verdon will be enjoying the life of a college baseball player. The former member of the Granite Hill High School Choir might even consider using another of his talents to entertaining his teammates and friends at the right time and place.
“I’m not afraid to sing for crowd if it’s the right crowd,” Verdon said. “I can get a party going, start some karaoke. But I’m not going to be making the big bucks with my singing.”
