Dustin Herbert, this week’s CAC INTRODUCING … featured student-athlete, is a senior pitcher for the Salisbury baseball team.  He posted a 7-2 record in 2010, while striking out 59 batters in 71 innings. He enters 2011 ranked sixth in program history in victories, with 23, and his 164 career strikeouts ranks seventh in program history. He hopes to lead the Sea Gulls back to the top of the pack in the CAC.

What is your background in the sport you play?   I have been playing baseball since I could pick up a ball and a bat. My mom used to play catch with me and pitch to me in the backyard until I was old enough to play tee-ball. I started pitching when I was 8 years old.

What is your favorite spot on campus?  My favorite spot on campus is the baseball field. While I’m on the baseball field, all the outside stresses in my life go away.

Other than your team, what organization (s) do you participate in (on campus or off campus)?  This year, I am the team captain of the Salisbury Baseball Relay for Life team on campus. This is the first year that our team has put together a team. Our goal is to raise $5,000 and we are well on our way to reaching that mark.

Briefly describe the most memorable experience during your collegiate athletic career.  The most memorable experience of my college career is when my right fielder caught the final out of my no-hitter against St. Mary’s last season. Every pitcher dreams about throwing a no-hitter. I’ll never forget that feeling.

What is the most important societal issue facing college students?  The economy is a huge issue facing college students. The reason we are all in school is to get a degree so that we can get a decent job when we get out of school. With the economy being the way it is now, it is difficult for everyone who graduates to get a job right away.

If you could change any one item in the world (in your personal life, school, community, amateur or professional sports, national/international issue, etc.), what would it be, why, and how would you do it?  If I could change one thing in the world, I would definitely find a cure for cancer. I don’t know how I would do this but it needs to be done soon. Cancer has had a big impact on my life. One of my best friends and teammates, Matt Beck, recently beat cancer and is back on the field with us for the first time since his battle. My girlfriend also lost her mother to cancer. This is why I started a relay team for our team.

What is your major in college, and what is the most important thing you learned in that discipline?   My major is Interdisciplinary Studies. It focuses on both Sociology and Conflict Analysis and Dispute Resolutions. I also have a minor in Marketing as well as Management.

Other than your family members, who was the most influential person in your life?  There are two people. Matt Beck is one because he beat cancer. Seeing what he went through and how he handled all of the troubles was very admirable. He never gave up and always kept a positive attitude even when things weren’t looking good.  The other person is Mrs. Lisa Blake. She is my girlfriend’s mother who lost her life to cancer a year and a half ago. She too kept a positive attitude and fought to the end of her life. She always put her kids first and was one of the most amazing, and influential people I have ever known.

If you could give one piece of advice to elementary school children, what would that advice be?  Set goals that are high and do everything that you can do to reach them. Once you reach them, set higher ones.

What is your favorite form of entertainment?  I love watching major league baseball. The main reason that I like it is because it gives me something to work for. My goal is to someday make it to that level. Every person on that field is an example of someone making their dream come true.

Outside of the Capital Athletic Conference, who or what is your favorite sports person or team?  John Rocker is my favorite sports person. This fall I got to go on a hunting trip with Rocker and Nick Markakis. John Rocker is my favorite sports person because he is one of the coolest people that I have ever met. He was a beast on the mound and I would love to be able to throw like him.

Name three (3) people, real or fictional, living or dead, that you'd like to have dinner with?    I would like to have dinner with Jesus Christ, former Baltimore Oriole Cal Ripken Jr., and Salisbury University pitcher Stephen Miller. I would choose Jesus Christ because everything I do I do it in his name. He is the reason for everything I have. Cal Ripken Jr. is next because I grew up watching him and I look up to him. I got to go to his 2,131th game with my dad and I will never forget it. And Stephen “Money” Miller because as all the SU baseball players know, eating with Steve is always pretty entertaining.