‘Where Are They Now Wednesday’ – Carl Moniz

Revue de Web

Georgia State University Web site, 6/2/2021

Our student-athletes are what make Georgia State so special. Our 'Where Are They Now Wednesday' segments feature former student-athletes from across all of our sports and not only look back on their accomplishments, but where they are now.

Carl Moniz may have spent only two years at Georgia State after transferring in, but those two seasons and his impact on the program will be remembered for a long time. Not only was Moniz instrumental in the Panthers' 2009 CAA Championship, he earned All-CAA Third Team honors as a senior. That same season he collected 80 hits which at the time was the fourth-most in a single season in school history. Following graduation he remained at Georgia State to earn a Master's degree before moving to California to marry his college sweetheart.

Talk a little bit about what you have been up to the last 10'ish years since finishing up at Georgia State (work, sports, family)

Photo ci-dessus : Carl Moniz dans l'uniforme de son équipe de l'Université Georgia State en 2009... et Carl Moniz aujourd'hui avec sa petite famille.

Shortly after my career ended at Georgia State and I was able to earn my Master's in Sport Administration, my wife Whitney and I relocated to Huntington Beach, Calif. After a lengthy interview process, I landed my first professional job with Reebok (Territory Manager apparel/footwear). I worked for Reebok for three years until I accepted an offer from Mizuno Baseball (National Account Manager). Sadly, my time at Mizuno was cut short when two of my main accounts declared bankruptcy. Luckily, I was able to find the same position with Crocs where I worked for about three years. Basically, I worked in the apparel/equipment/footwear industry for eight years. Following the pandemic, it was time for a change, and I decided to reinvent myself. I currently work in Medical Sales for an Aesthetic Company. I am loving this new position and intend to remain in the medical industry.

When it comes to sports, of course I never stopped. I have been in and out of baseball and softball leagues ever since I graduated. Although I am a baseball guy all the way, I developed a new passion for golf and have been perfecting my game for the last 10 years. I can happily say that I am now down to a 6 handicap (we can pretty much play all year long here since it never rains and the weather never changes). Lastly, I picked up cycling, and ride my bike daily alongside the beach.

When it comes to family, Whitney and I will be celebrating our 10-year wedding anniversary on August 13, and we added two beautiful children to the mix. Whitney has been a Paralegal for the last seven years. My daughter Alexia, who is now six was our first born. She is amazingly creative, love school, and gymnastics. She is about to start her first softball season in the summer. My little boy Camdyn came second. He is all boy!!! Loves baseball, basketball, and golf. (Already started golf lessons and he is only 3). Like his sister, Camdyn will be starting his first baseball season in the summer.

When we are not playing sports or working, we spend the most of our family time at the beach!!! Pretty much ¾ times a week! Body surf, sandcastles, swimming, sun bathing, and everything great about California.

How did your experience at GSU help you get to where you are now?

GSU helped shape me into the man I am today. Strong work ethic, respectful and driven. I looked up to Coach Frady and Coach Stromdahl as they helped me become a better leader. Not only them, but everyone included with the program (Mike Holmes, Dave Cohen, our athletic trainers, professors, Academic staff). Getting my Master's degree from GSU was the best decision I could of made. It has led me to a crazy fun professional career, and I feel like they gave me the right tools to succeed. I will forever be grateful for everyone at GSU.

During the time you were at Georgia State, our program had a strong number of Canadian players come through. What was the adjustment like for you come south and was it made easier by having other Canadian players on the team as well?

Having other Canadians in the program definitely helped with the adjustments and the language barrier. Other than the language barrier, the rest was pretty easy to adjust. Moving from Montreal to Atlanta wasn't a big deal since we were used to the city life - probably another reason I chose GSU – I LOVED ATLANTA and would be willing to move back if the opportunity ever arose. The Georgia State staff and coaches made it quite easy to transition by their remarkable dedication to the program.

You were a part of arguably the most special season in program history – the 2009 CAA Championship season which led to the NCAA Atlanta Regional. What was that season like?

The 2009 season was my favorite baseball season ever. Beating Georgia Tech (#2) at Tech was amazing, winning the CAA Championship was amazing, making the trip to Georgia Tech for the NCAA Regional was amazing. Most importantly, it was the best group of men I have ever played with. Great leaders, close bunch, great friends, and a bunch of hungry bulldogs willing to put it all on the line for the team. I will forever remember the 2009 season. Closest group of guys ever and a MAGICAL season!

Those 2009 and 2010 teams were a very close bunch. How much do you stay in touch with some of those former teammates?

I still stay in touch with a lot of the players. Obviously, Marc Mimeault, but also Bradley, Charlie, Brett, Pork Chop (Justin Malone), Fleming, Joey, Aidan, Mike, and a few others. I actually was part of Bradley's wedding two years ago. I think it would be great if we can do a reunion and organize a golf tournament or something in the future.

You played for assistant coach Brad Stromdahl, now the Panthers current head coach. Give us your best story/stories about him.

Coach Stromdahl is an amazing coach and a better person. The first time I saw him was when Marc Mimeault and I were playing at NE Oklahoma. He visited us, but it was for Mimeault (haha), I think he saw enough that day and didn't even bother coming back the following year and signed me over the phone (I don't blame him...Miami, Okla., is a little different than Atlanta or Montreal). I don't have a particular story that comes to mind, but all I can say is that Coach Stromdahl is the reason why I attended Georgia State and I would do it all over again. He was always ready to help and support in any aspects of my life. I wish him nothing but the best. Great coach, great man! Happy that GSU got him back!

Et voici les statistiques que j'ai compilées à l'époque :

Carl Moniz, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgie

Carl Moniz, Georgia State University, Panthersville, Georgie

Photo ci-dessus : Carl Moniz et son coéquipier québécois avec la troupe de l'Université Georgia State, Marc-Olivier Jodoin-Mimeault

Revue de web publiée par Jacques Lanciault.