OSU alumni Michele Smith, Gary Green and Robin found success on the softball and baseball fields at OSU before moving into professional sports. Besides their many Individual successes, all have played on diamonds of gold -- the Olympics, earning gold medals in their respective sports.

Robin Ventura grew up in Santa Maria, Calif., where playing baseball was a family pastime.

"My dad really loved baseball," says Ventura. "I have two older brothers and a younger brother, so when my dad was coaching my older brothers, I was more like a tag-along. It was fun because I got to hang out with the older kids and go to practice."

"A friend of one of the coaches mentioned me to Tom Holliday, who called my high school coach," says Ventura. "They invited me out to a recruiting trip. I had a few offers -- not that many -- that were very small compared to the one from Oklahoma State."

After Ventura visited OSU and was able to visualize both the direction of the program and the atmosphere of the campus, the decision to attend OSU was easy to make.

"Once I traveled to OSU and saw what was happening as far as the baseball program and the success occurring, I was committed almost before I left," says Ventura.

At Oklahoma State, Ventura majored in business before switching to physical education. Although he left after his junior year to play professional baseball, he has fond memories of OSU and Stillwater.

"I think Stillwater is a great place," says Ventura. "There weren't a whole lot of things going on at the time and it wasn't as big as it is now. Back then you saw everybody, which made it fun because you got to know everyone."

Ventura represented the U.S. in the 1988 Olympics held in Seoul, Korea. "Growing up watching the Olympics, you never think ‘I'm going to be in them,' so I was lucky enough to participate at a time when baseball was a focus," he says.

He especially enjoyed the opportunity to share the experience with other OSU athletes. "OSU wrestlers John Smith and Kenny Monday were right above me in the athletic village, so it was nice to have that connection to people I knew."

OSU's baseball program helped Ventura and his teammates gain knowledge about handling success on the literal field and in the field of life.

"OSU helped players get in the environment of winning and prepared us to go into professional baseball," says Ventura.

In 1988, the Chicago White Sox picked Ventura in the first round of the draft, and his professional success continued until his retirement in 2004 with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"I played 9 years in Chicago, and all of my kids were born there. I enjoy going back there," he says. "And as a kid, I grew up rooting for the Los Angeles Dodgers. I think any kid's dream comes true when he grows up rooting for one team and then gets to play for them. It's pretty special."

During those 16 years, Ventura also played for the New York Mets, where his most memorable moment as a professional baseball player occurred.

"I think any kid dreams of playing in the World Series, and for me that was a favorite memory with the Mets in 2000," says Ventura. "I have plenty of special memories with each team.

As far as the game of baseball today, Ventura says the professional game has not changed much. He believes more changes have occurred in the way players are recruited than in the way the game is played.

"Basically, kids now have to go college and play college baseball or play a lot with club teams," says Ventura. "It's really different from a younger age, but professional baseball hasn't changed in terms of the game. Obviously technology is better, but the game hasn't changed."

As the game evolves, Ventura continues to admire the job coaches do in mentoring players today, just as they did when he was a college player.

"I think for college coaching is a big part of the program, getting kids at kind of a vulnerable age," says Ventura. "If you're going to college at 17, coaches are shaping your life a little bit, more than just sports."

Since his retirement in 2004, Ventura has enjoyed being at home with his wife and four kids.

"I enjoy being at home," says Ventura. "We're near where my wife and I grew up, and it's nice to get to see my kids play basketball and baseball. It's nice to be at home, and I enjoyed it a lot growing up here."

In July 2006, Ventura was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame's inaugural class.

"The first year, they could have picked anybody. Thousands of guys have played college baseball; and to be part of the first 10 was special," says Ventura. "All of these people were people I had either heard of or grew up idolizing. It was special to be in that first group of coaches and players."

Ventura says he Is glad to see OSU's athletic program maintaining the vision and direction that attracted him as a young recruit.

"I think it's great. When I was at OSU, there were always plans to improve things," says Ventura. "Top-of-the-line facilities are important for recruiting, especially if everyone else in your conference has nice facilities. Otherwise, you're kind of left out in the dark."