Danny Kerr is an all-around all-star. As assistant coach for the UM-Dearborn baseball team, Kerr brings his invaluable skills as a former professional player for California’s High Desert Yardbirds to UM-Dearborn’s newly instated program. In its second year, the team was just one game shy of making the playoffs. And he’s hitting home runs in the classroom, too. Within two years, the junior transfer has been named an Academic All-American, he’s been a recipient of the Chancellor’s Award, and he’s earned a spot on the Dean’s List. “I’m a highly motivated person, so I love to take on a challenge,” Kerr says. “There’s definitely a strong connection between success in the classroom and success on the field.” Here, he shares how he achieves both.

Danny, in his own words

On playing pro. “Last summer, I played professional baseball in the Pecos League for the High Desert Yardbirds. I traveled across California, Arizona and Colorado. The experience of playing with guys from around the world was something else. The level of competition was much higher than I’d previously seen in college and a lot of what I learned I’m able to teach the guys on our team to help them become better baseball players. I chose to come to University of Michigan-Dearborn because I wanted to be a leader on the team and to help make it a successful new program. By the second year, we were one game away from making playoffs — I would consider that a success!”

On his career highlight.  “A defining moment for me was acing ECE 273, Digital Systems. It’s considered to be one of the tougher classes and a lot of people take it and realize engineering isn’t for them. But I excelled and that made me realize that I really did pick the right major. I love to take on a challenge. The harder the class is, the more I want to do better because I get a sense of accomplishment after being successful in it.”

On his Wolverine pride. “I love UM-Dearborn because I’ve always been a Michigan fan and getting that Michigan degree is very exciting for me. Being able to come here and wear the Block M to play baseball is just a dream come true for me.”