The University of the Ozarks baseball team celebrated the best season in program history in 2008, winning 32 games and advancing to the American Southwest Conference playoffs. One of the keys to the Eagles' success was Bruce Cameron, a junior center fielder and pitcher from Houston, Texas.

Senior center fielder and pitcher Bruce Cameron helped the Eagles to a 32-11 record in 2008.

Bruce Cameron

Cameron had a breakout season in 2008, finishing with a .410 batting average with a team-best 14 home runs. He received numerous awards for his performance, including all-conference, all-region, and D3Baseball.com second team all-American.

Yet, Cameron is more focused on the team goals and success.

“It’s nice to have those individual honors,” said Cameron. “It still comes down to the fact that I want to be part of a team that has success and wins games.”

Last year, Cameron was overjoyed with the success of the Eagles during the regular season. The team finished tied for second in the East Division of the conference and had a 32-11 overall record.

“When you are winning, it is a lot of fun,” said Cameron. “We all just came together and it was like a big group of brothers.”

Cameron’s outstanding season allowed him to play summer baseball in the Coastal Plain League, one of the top NCAA-sanctioned summer baseball leagues, for the Florence (SC) Red Wolves.

“Coach [Jimmy] Clark asked around and found me a spot to play,” said Cameron. “Florence had an opening after a player was injured, which gave me the opportunity."

The majority of the Coastal Plain teams are comprised of NCAA Division I and II players.

“There were a lot of very good hitters and pitchers,” said Cameron. “Major League Baseball scouts were all over the place during the summer.”

Cameron lived with a host family during his time in South Carolina. In his down time, Cameron was able to take advantage of the family’s land by fishing and riding four-wheelers.

“Most of the games were night games,” said Cameron. “I had a lot of free time and I like to be outdoors, so I really enjoyed the host family and the outdoor activities.”

Cameron reflects on the grueling, yet rewarding schedule during the summer.

“There was a stretch where we played 12 days in a row,” said Cameron. “It was probably the most fun I have ever had during a summer.”

Cameron, who is now in his senior year at Ozarks, has his sights set on another big event; graduation. He’s currently working toward his degree in business management.

“When I came to Ozarks, I wanted to play baseball and find a good school,” said Cameron. “I know that I picked the right place.”

Cameron was impressed by the Jones Learning Center (JLC) in his first year at Ozarks. He said the staff helped him understand why managing your time is so important and learned how to balance academics and baseball.

“They really helped me when I had to miss class for baseball,” said Cameron. “They would help me with notes for those missed classes, along with other assignments.”

The JLC is not the only reason Cameron has been so impressed with the University.

“When I first came here, everyone was so nice and friendly,” said Cameron. “I’m also a big outdoors guy and the surrounding environment is amazing.”

After graduating from Ozarks, Cameron has his sights set on playing professional baseball at some level. However, once his baseball career is over, he said he is ready to enter the business field in some capacity.

“I haven’t decided which type of business I would like to go into,” said Cameron. “I am pleased with the education I have received at Ozarks and I know when I decide which direction to head, I will be more than ready.”

Topics: Athletics