Jacob Colwell, a senior at Saint Mary's University (Winona, MN) studying Sports Management, has taken on the challenge of contacting many former Rochester Honkers players and coaches. He wanted to see what they are doing now and some of their favorite memories of playing in Rochester. Below you will enjoy his discoveries as we present……Flashback Fridays!

Arik Sikula – Marshall University
2009, 2010 Rochester Honkers
Photo of Arik, Toronto Blue Jays, Class A Midwest League Lansing Lugnuts

What’s your favorite memory while playing for the Rochester Honkers?
AS: I have a lot of vivid unforgettable memories playing with the Honkers. Being on the mound, getting the third out of the 2009 NWL championship game. Having my then coach, now friend, Joe Cotton milk a cow. Seeing the terrible umps either, A) call a third strike to end the game as the catcher was throwing it back to me, or B) seeing the whole infield from Thunder Bay get ejected. Too many great times.

What’s your favorite non playing memory from your time with the Rochester Honkers (Host Family, Experience, Bus Ride, etc.)
AS: A story I always tell is playing the inmates in softball. Those guys loved it and we had a ball. Not many times do you get the opportunity to play softball vs inmates (hopefully). They beat us pretty bad.

Who was your favorite teammate when you played for the Rochester Honkers and why?
AS: I can't limit that to one person. Obviously, one of my bestfriends/brother was on my team Ian Kadish from Marshall. Rochester brought me with Scott McGough, Drew Beuerlein, Drew Bowen, Joey Housey….I could go on and on. It's really fun seeing a lot of guys I played with four years ago either on the opposite team or on tv.

What has happened to you since you left Rochester and what are you doing now?
AS: After I left Rochester, I Graduated from Marshall University with a 3.8 and was drafted by the Blue Jays. I am about to enter my fourth year of professional baseball. This past year I was named a Blue Jays organizational all-star as well as an all-star in the Puerto Rican winter league.

What was your biggest realization while playing for the Rochester Honkers?
AS: Playing in Rochester puts you through a minor league season. The style is the exact same. Playing in Rochester I realized that this is what I wanted to do. I want to make it to professional baseball and make a career of this. I think the experience that I received in Rochester helped me get where I am today.

Do you still stay in contact with former teammates? If so who?
AS: I run into people (Austin Wates) who played for Rochester after me. Ian Kadish, Joey Housey, Scott McGough, Brian Flynn, Joe Cotton