West Orange High School graduate Alex Gouin now has dueling jobs as a professional baseball player and WOHS substitute teacher. Gouin first started playing baseball at West Orange High School (WOHS) and graduated from the high school in 2010. He then went on to play college baseball at the University of Hartford. It was in college that Gouin realized baseball played a key role in his life because it was something he, “really liked,” and wanted to pursuit it. He eventually was able to try out for a professional New York team called the Rockland Boulders, and from there he landed a 1 year contract in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ minor league system. When the 1 year contract expired, Gouin signed with the Somerset Patriots and Gouin is now starting his third season of professional baseball with the Patriots.

Like any goal, playing professionally was a challenge for Gouin to achieve but he had coaches along the way to guide him. Gouin stated that the foundation for his career was set at WOHS with Coach Zichella. Zichella taught him about the early stages of how to play in a competitive atmosphere. By the time Gouin got to college, it became mostly about competing and “not settling for being average, and [he thinks] that’s a lesson that not only helps on the field but in life.” Gouin then continued to say, “Don’t settle for average and be the best that you can be.” Gouin was told to not back down from any obstacles and baseball was a challenge he enjoyed.

For Gouin baseball went beyond the coaches and he had to do many things on his own to achieve his goals. At first Gouin was “nonchalant about everything,” and he mostly relied on his natural talent. Gouin had always known he had talent, but he was not fully dedicated until college. During his junior year of college Gouin realized he would not be successful by taking the easy way out. Gouin started putting in extra time including training in the off season. He even trained at home during winter vacation. Gouin said in a week he probably practiced 20-25 hours which, although it seemed like a lot, he was always able to find friends that play baseball to practice with some of which now also play professionally.

While baseball is a major part of Gouin’s life, in the off season he works as a substitute and as an insurance analyst at a mortgage company. Gouin subs at WOHS on Mondays and Fridays and then uses the rest of the day for training. Gouin loves interacting with people and says he is still a kid at heart so he enjoys being around the students and interacting with them. WOHS students should look forward to seeing Gouin both in the halls and on the field.