Students Today
at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies

Pro athlete balances baseball, graduate school

Graduate student Brian Duva has played professional baseball for seven years. Now he's learning to juggle. During the summer, Duva is an infielder for the Winnipeg Goldeyes. Off-season, he's a student in the joint master of public administration and law degree program offered by the Andrew Young School and the Georgia State University College of Law. Duva, who in August became the Northern League's all-time hits and stolen-bases leader, says it's hard to strike a balance between work and play. He and wife Ingrid straddle two countries during the year, living alternately on- and off-season in Winnipeg, Canada, and Atlanta.

Duva

"It's really difficult to maintain both (studying and practice) at a high level," says Duva, 28, a Florida native. Now in the second year of the MPA/JD program, the second baseman and former Cleveland Indians draft pick is considering leaving minor league ball to concentrate on graduating and finding a job away from the baseball field. It won't be an easy decision, he says. "Winnipeg is a great city to play in - beautiful stadium, great fans," Duva says. "I've had a real nice career here…(but) sometimes the timing is right to move on." Upon graduation, Winnipeg's two-time all-star hopes to find a position in the public sector. "I've always had a little bit more of an interest in management than just the strict practice of law. I'm hoping (the MPA/JD degree) will give me the opportunity to have…more choices when I graduate. I've already dedicated such a big portion of my life to (baseball), I want to look at some more avenues."

It's really difficult to maintain both (studying and practice) at a high level.

- Brian Duva
Winnipeg Goldeyes

Photo above: A SUMMER STEAL: Winnipeg Goldeyes infielder Brian Duva steals base during a recent game. Duva, a student in Georgia State's joint master of public administration and law degree program, divides his time between Winnipeg and Atlanta.